France midfielder Antoine Griezmann announced the end of his international career on Monday. The 33-year-old Atletico forward made his debut in March 2014, and won 137 caps for France, scoring 44 goals.
"Today, it is with deep emotion that I'm announcing my retirement as a player of the France team," Griezmann said on social media Monday.
"After 10 incredible years marked by challenges, successes and unforgettable moments, it is time for me to turn a page and make way for the new generation.”
He was one of the key elements in France's 2018 World Cup win and its second-place title in 2022.
"Wearing this jersey was an honour and a privilege,” said Grizou, as he is known - a favourite among his teammates and fans.
He imposed himself as a versatile player in the midfield, and even if the captain's armband went to Kylian Mbappé, he was always a voice everyone listened to.
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 Mbappé.
Valuable player
He played a French record of 84 consecutive matches with Les Bleus, a number that underlines his status as the national team's most valuable player in the last 10 years.
His decision to quit is further confirmation that an era has come to an end for French football.
Last week Giroud, the team's all-time top scorer, hung up his France boots after the Euro semi-finals.
Hugo 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.
France coach Didier Deschamps will name his next squad this Thursday, ahead of Nations League matches against Israel in Budapest on 10 October and Belgium in Brussels four days later.
(with AFP, Reuters)
