Philippe Diallopresident of the French Football Federation, reacted like many others to the announcement of his retirement from the national team Antoine Griezmann. The attacking midfielder posted a video on his X account to explain his choice to leave Les Bleus ten years after its debut. “The moment Antoine Griezmann announced his retirement from the national team, the first word that comes to mind is Thank you“, wrote Diallo in a press release. “Thanks to the immense player, who brought so much to the French team. Thanks to the splendid footballer, this fantastic left-footed player, who made us all dream with his exploits. Thanks to the man, warm, humble, generous, always close to the fans.
Antoine Griezmann has marked the history of France in an exceptional way”, continues the president. “In a decade with the French shirt, he was one of the greatest architects of the greatest successes, first of all the victory at the 2018 World Cup. He delighted us even during the 2016 European Championships, where he finished as the best player and top scorer. His statistics bear witness to the historical imprint he will leave in the annals of French football: third player with the most appearances, fourth scorer, first assist man.
Beyond these fantastic figures, I want to pay tribute to Antoine Griezmann’s unwavering love for the national team. He demonstrated absolute and exemplary loyalty towards the French team. How can we not be surprised by his record of 84 consecutive games, that is, six years without an interruption. Antoine Griezmann demonstrated once again, in a spontaneous and sincere way, his attachment to France during the Paris Olympic Games; for everything he has achieved and for what he represents, Antoine Griezmann is a legend of the French team and of French football.”