French Star Griezmann Retires from International Football

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 side.

“It is with a heart full of memories that I am closing this chapter of my life,” the 33-year-old vice-captain of France wrote on X.

The Atletico Madrid forward made his debut for France in March 2014 and has since earned 137 caps, a record surpassed only by former teammate Hugo Lloris (145) and 1998 World Cup winner Lilian Thuram (142).

Griezmann ranks fourth on France’s all-time leading goal-scorers list, with 44 goals, trailing only record scorer Olivier Giroud, Thierry Henry, and current captain Kylian Mbappe.

He scored during France's 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final of the 2018 World Cup in Moscow and previously played a key role in helping his team reach the Euro 2016 final, finishing as the tournament's top scorer with six goals.

Griezmann was instrumental in Les Bleus' journey to the 2022 World Cup final, where they lost to Argentina on penalties in Qatar.

His last major tournament, however, was less memorable; despite reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2024, neither he nor the team were able to find their best form.

Griezmann's final appearance for France occurred earlier this month during a UEFA Nations League victory against Belgium at home.

His decision to retire marks the end of an era for the French national team.

Both Lloris and centre-back Raphael Varane retired from international duty following the 2022 World Cup, with Varane announcing his complete retirement from football just last week at the age of 31.

Giroud also stepped back from international duty after this year’s Euros in Germany.

Coach Didier Deschamps is set to announce the next France squad this Thursday ahead of Nations League matches against Israel in Budapest on October 10 and Belgium in Brussels four days later.