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Antoine Griezmann is not about to explain himself his surprise retirement from the France team last November, probably disillusioned by his downgrade within Didier Deschamps' team, a year and a half after seeing the coach of the Blues entrust the captain's armband to Kylian Mbappé. “Grizi” did not inform Olivier Giroud of his choice, as confided by the striker of the 2018 world champions, who ended his superb international career last July after Euro 2024 in Germany by finishing top scorer in the history of the selection (57 achievements).
“It’s perhaps linked to the fact that he lost friends from his generation who left, and perhaps the disappointment of the Euro”explains Giroud in an interview given to
First Team on YouTube. Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Raphaël Varane but also Karim Benzema all retired after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Griezmann, the armband of discord
Erwan Abautret, from First Teamthen asked Giroud if the choice of captaincy had pushed Griezmann towards the exit. “It could have played a role, legitimately, it could have played a role”replies the Los Angeles FC striker. And should Antoine Griezmann have been captain of the France team ahead of Kylian Mbappé? “Joker!” »Giroud only responds.
That said, “Grizi” turns 34 in March and might not have lasted physically until the 2026 World Cup organized in Canada, the United States and Mexico. It is also in MLS that the left-hander, native of Mâcon, could land last summer. Despite a contract until 2026 with Atlético, the striker could request his departure in a few months, preferably to join Lloris and Giroud at LAFC.
Written by:
Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team.
 
 As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers.
 
 When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.
