Having scored 44 goals, Griezmann is fourth on France’s all-time list of top scorers, behind only Thierry Henry, current captain Kylian Mbappe, and record-holder Olivier Giroud.
Antoine Griezmann, France’s 2018 World Cup winner, revealed on Monday that he is retiring from international football after a 10-year stint with the country. “It is with a heart full of memories that I am closing this chapter of my life,” France vice-captain Griezmann, 33, wrote on Twitter. The Atletico Madrid attacker debuted for France in March 2014 and has already earned 137 caps, trailing only former colleague Hugo Lloris (145) and 1998 World Cup champion Lilian Thuram (142).
Antoine Griezmann (@AntoGriezmann). September 30th, 2024
Griezmann is also fourth in France’s all-time goal scoring list, trailing only record holder Olivier Giroud, Thierry Henry, and current captain Kylian Mbappe with 44.
He scored in France’s 4-2 victory against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final in Moscow, having earlier helped his team go to the final of Euro 2016, where he finished as top scorer with six goals.Griezmann also performed admirably for Les Bleus throughout their journey to the 2022 World Cup final, which they lost to Argentina on penalties in Qatar.
His final big event will be remembered less warmly, as neither he nor his team found their greatest form at Euro 2024, despite reaching the semi-finals.
Griezmann made his last appearance for France in a UEFA Nations League victory against Belgium at home earlier this month.
The striker’s decision to leave confirms that a chapter in the French team’s history has ended.
Griezmann also performed admirably for Les Bleus throughout their journey to the 2022 World Cup final, which they lost on penalties to Argentina in Qatar.
His last major competition will be remembered less favorably, as neither he nor his team performed well at Euro 2024, despite making it to the semi-finals.
Griezmann’s last appearance for France came earlier this month in a UEFA Nations League victory against Belgium at home.
The striker’s decision to leave confirms that the French side’s era is over.
Lloris and centre-back Raphael Varane both resigned from international duties following the 2022 World Cup, with the latter retiring football completely last week at the age of 31.
Giroud ceased representing his country following this year’s Euros in Germany.
Coach Didier Deschamps will reveal his next France team on Thursday, ahead of Nations League games against Israel in Budapest on October 10 and Belgium in Brussels four days later.
