SOCCER
Griezmann wins 100th cap and another title with France
The Atlético forward won his 100th cap for France and played his 57th consecutive match, the first player to do so, according to Spanish stats guru Mister Chip.
Antoine Griezmann will return from the international break with a spring in his step. The Frenchman added another title to his international trophy cabinet with the Nations League, after France beat Spain in controversial fashion on Sunday.
100 France caps
In the victory over La Roja, the Atlético player won his 100th cap for France. Griezmann became the ninth player to do so after Thuram (142 games), Lloris (134), Henry (123), Desailly (116), Giroud (110), Zidane (108), Vieira (107) and Deschamps (103) and, as explained by Mister Chip, Griezmann also became the first player in French history to have played 57 consecutive international matches.
Confidence booster for Griezmann
This will be a much-needed confidence boost for the left-footed attacker in his bid to return to become a regular starter for Diego Simeone's Atleti. Indisputable in the France eleven, Griezmann has been playing in a deeper position, supporting the midfield and helping Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé stay forward. In the Nations League final against Spain he had one of his quieter games, but was crucial to Benzema's stunning goal. This deeper position is something that Simeone has already started to deploy, with Griezmann as a playmaker and two forwards playing ahead of him.
Against Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano, Griezmann replaced Luis Suárez to become the reference point up front. In Milan, a few days earlier, he came on and played in a deeper role, scoring his first goal since his return to the club. His most comfortable position is playing as a second striker with a number nine in front of him. The Nations League success could be a morale booster for Griezmann, who wants to return to being an important figure for Atlético.