Antoine Griezmann of France Announces Retirement from International Football

France's 2018 World Cup-winning star Antoine Griezmann has officially announced his retirement from international football. The 33-year-old Atletico Madrid forward shared the news on Monday, expressing gratitude for the unforgettable memories he has made throughout his 10-year career with the French national team. "It is with a heart full of memories that I am closing this chapter of my life," Griezmann wrote in his retirement statement. Since making his France debut in March 2014, he has earned an impressive 137 caps for his country, making him one of the most capped players in French football history. Griezmann's contribution to the national team's success has been immense, playing a crucial role in their triumph at the 2018 World Cup. Despite bidding farewell to international football, Griezmann's legacy as a key figure in French football will undoubtedly live on. His dedication, talent, and leadership on the field have cemented his status as one of the all-time greats in French football history.

Cest avec le cur plein de souvenirs que je clos ce chapitre de ma vie. Merci pour cette magnifique aventure tricolore et bientt. pic.twitter.com/qpw8dvdtFt

Griezmann is also fourth in France's list of all-time leading goal-scorers with 44, behind only record marksman Olivier Giroud, Thierry Henry and current captain Kylian Mbappe.

He scored in France's 4-2 win over Croatia in the final of the 2018 World Cup in Moscow, having previously helped his country reach the final of Euro 2016, a tournament he ended as top scorer with six goals.

Griezmann was also outstanding for Les Bleus on their run to the 2022 World Cup final, which they lost on penalties to Argentina in Qatar.

His last major tournament will be remembered less fondly, as neither he nor his team found their best form at Euro 2024 despite making it to the semi-finals.

Griezmann's last appearance for France came in a UEFA Nations League win at home to Belgium earlier this month.

The striker's decision to quit is further confirmation that an era has come to an end for the French side.

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Lloris and centre-back Raphael Varane both retired from international duty in the wake of the 2022 World Cup, with the latter quitting football entirely last week at the age of just 31.

Giroud stopped playing for his country in the wake of this year's Euros in Germany.

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Coach Didier Deschamps will name his next France squad this Thursday ahead of Nations League matches against Israel in Budapest on October 10 and Belgium in Brussels four days later.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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