France’s 2018 World Cup hero, Antoine Griezmann, has officially announced his retirement from international football at the age of 33. The Atletico Madrid forward, who made his debut for Les Bleus in 2014, closes the curtain on a remarkable 10-year career that saw him earn 137 caps and score 44 goals, making him the fourth-highest goal scorer in France’s history.
“It is with a heart full of memories that I am closing this chapter of my life,” Griezmann wrote on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude for the journey with his national team.
Griezmann was instrumental in France’s triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign, scoring in the 4-2 final victory against Croatia. He also played a pivotal role in guiding France to the Euro 2016 final, where he emerged as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals. His last major tournament, Euro 2024, saw France reach the semi-finals, although the team fell short of its usual high standards.
The striker’s retirement follows the recent decisions of other key French players, including goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, defender Raphael Varane, and striker Olivier Giroud, signaling the end of a golden era for French football.
Griezmann’s final appearance for France came in a UEFA Nations League victory over Belgium earlier this month. As France looks to the future, coach Didier Deschamps is expected to announce his new squad on Thursday ahead of their Nations League matches in October.
With the retirement of such stalwarts, the French team is preparing for a fresh start.
