FRANCE NATIONAL TEAM
Griezmann’s disappointment at Mbappé becoming the captain of the France National Team
The Atlético Madrid forward did not like the fact that Kylian Mbappé was named captain of the national side; he reportedly thought about instant retirement.
Didier Deschamps only needed a few hours to decide on who he wanted the captain of the France National Team to be. The manager, at 54-years-old, held a meeting with various players last Monday and made the decision to give Kylian Mbappé the armband. Griezmann, who was one of the favourites to succeed Hugo Lloris and Raphael Varane as France captain, was immensely disappointed to find out he would only be second in command for the 2018 World Champions.
After the retirement of both Lloris and Varane, the Atlético Madrid player had a lot of reasons as to why he should be named captain. For example, during the last game before the World Cup, against Denmark, the goalkeeper and centre-back were both out and it fell to Griezmann to wear the armband.
Griezmann reportedly considered retiring
However, the worm has turned. Mbappé had a fantastic World Cup, scoring a hat-trick in the final and Deschamps, who made his decision official on Tuesday 21 March 2023, recognised that the appointment was a “unifying element throughout the entire dressing room”.
Griezmann saw himself at Euro 2024 wearing the armband; Dechamps’ decision has come as a huge blow for the forward, to such an extent that he even reportedly considered international retirement on the spot. The player sees it as unfair that he has not received the honour, which, on merit, he deserves. On top of this, it must also be taken into account that he is a player who has always felt undervalued.
‘Grizi’, again, feels undervalued
Firstly, due to being turned away by many French clubs as a boy and secondly due to the fact that he has been constantly overlooked with the national team, despite achieving greatness with the side and being a key member of the XI on multiple occasions.
The highest assist provider in the history of Les Bleus, taking over Thierry Henry, Griezmann wants to turn over a new leaf, despite the fact that Deschamps’ decision is going to lead to a long and drawn-out debate in France: Mbappé will wear the armband, although his relationship with Griezmann is great. On Tuesday, one day after the news, both players were seen smiling with each other, fully in the knowledge that a strong team is built on strong relationships.
