‘One of the greatest players in France’s history’ – Didier Deschamps leads tributes to Antoine Griezmann

France national team manager Didier Deschamps has paid tribute to Antoine Griezmann (33) following the Atlético de Madrid’s international retirement announcement. The 137-capped France attacking midfielder has stunned French football in calling time on his decorated international career this Monday. Griezmann has been a mainstay for Les Bleus for the past decade and Deschamps planned on calling him up for the next Nations League games in October.

But there won’t be any 138th cap for Griezmann with Deschamps acknowledging his player’s decision. “We had a long discussion about this recently. Since his debut in the French team ten years ago, we have maintained a relationship of trust and very frank relations”, Deschamps said in his statement, crediting Griezmann’s courage and honesty.

“Antoine was and will remain a monument of French football, one of the greatest players in its history. Beyond his 44 goals and 30 assists, his involvement in the results we have achieved over the last decade is immense”, underlines Deschamps. “Driven by a collective spirit at all times and a rare altruism among offensive players, Antoine has always brought honor to football and the blue jersey. He never cheated.”

Deschamps ends his statement by alluding to the fact Griezmann was considered his favorite player during his current 12-year tenure as France boss. “We had indeed established a very strong relationship, which will remain intact. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything, my Grizou.”

GFFN | Bastien Cheval