Antoine Griezmann of France Announces Retirement from International Football

Photo: AFP

Antoine Griezmann, the star of France's 2018 World Cup-winning team, announced his retirement from international football on Monday, concluding a remarkable 10-year career with the national team. In a heartfelt message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Griezmann, 33, stated, "It is with a heart full of memories that I am closing this chapter of my life." 

Griezmann made his debut for France in March 2014 and accumulated 137 caps, a number surpassed only by former teammate Hugo Lloris (145) and 1998 World Cup champion Lilian Thuram (142). He expressed gratitude for his time with the national team, saying, "Merci pour cette magnifique aventure tricolore et bientt," alongside a poignant farewell message.

He ranks fourth on France's all-time leading goal-scorers list with 44 goals, trailing behind record scorer Olivier Giroud, Thierry Henry, and current captain Kylian Mbappe. Griezmann played a pivotal role in France's journey to the 2018 World Cup title, scoring in the 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final. He also shone during Euro 2016, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with six goals, and was instrumental in reaching the 2022 World Cup final, where France lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout.

Griezmann's last major tournament was Euro 2024, which ended on a disappointing note as France reached the semi-finals without displaying their best form. His final appearance for the national team came earlier this month in a UEFA Nations League match against Belgium, which France won.

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His retirement further signals the end of an era for the French national team, following the departures of other key players. Lloris and center-back Raphael Varane retired from international duty after the 2022 World Cup, with Varane recently announcing his retirement from football altogether at just 31 years old. Giroud also stepped away from the national team after this year's Euro tournament in Germany.

France's coach Didier Deschamps is set to announce the next squad for upcoming Nations League matches against Israel in Budapest on October 10 and Belgium in Brussels on October 14.