France forward and former World Cup winner, Antoine Griezmann, announced his retirement from international duty at the age of 33 earlier today, September 30, 2024.
Note that Antoine Griezmann was a central part of France’s World Cup triumph in 2018, and was the top scorer at Euro 2016, where Les Bleus finished as runners-up.
The Atletico Madrid attacker retires as France’s third-most capped player with 137 appearances for the national team, during which he scored 44 goals – the fourth-most for France.
Antoine Griezmann took on a deeper midfield role for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and impressed Didier Deschamps’ side, earning the silver ball behind Lionel Messi after Argentina defeated France in the final. 
Griezmann played a French record 84 consecutive matches for Les Bleus between November 2016 and March 2024.
“Today, it is with deep emotion that I’m announcing my retirement as a player of the France team,” Griezmann wrote on his Instagram page.
“After 10 incredible years filled with challenges, successes, and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn a page and make way for the new generation. Wearing this jersey was an honour and a privilege.”
Griezmann made five appearances for France at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but cemented his place in the team ahead of Euro 2016, which was hosted by France.
He scored six goals as France reached the final in Paris, netting in the last-16 win over Ireland, a quarter-final victory against Iceland, and both goals in the 2-0 win over Germany.
While France was defeated by Portugal in the Stade de France final, Griezmann was named player of the tournament and won the Golden Boot.
He was similarly influential in the 2018 World Cup, although the emergence of Kylian Mbappe meant Griezmann’s role was adjusted slightly at the tournament.
Griezmann, however, scored in the last-16 and quarter-final victories over Argentina and Uruguay and converted a first-half penalty for France’s second goal of their 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final. Griezmann finished 3rd in the Ballon d’Or that year, a feat he also achieved after Euro 2016.
France underperformed at the delayed Euro 2020 finals, but Griezmann’s transition to midfield brought a resurgence on the international stage at the 2022 World Cup where he was arguably the best player of the tournament and would have won the Golden Ball had France defeated Messi’s Argentina on penalties in Qatar.
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