Antoine Griezmann is reportedly infuriated after being snubbed as the new France football Captain. It has been a gloomy couple of months for Les Blues, as they were denied by the Argentine who won the prestigious 2022 world cup. France winning the world cup in 2022 would have made them win it back-to-back, as they won the trophy in 2018. However, Argentina, led by Leo Messi, knocked them out of the competition. This made many players within the France team hang up their boots for international duty.
Some of their key players, such as Varane and Lloris, retired after the world cup. Lloris was the captain of Les Blues before his retirement, and France needed to announce their new captain with the international break coming up. As known in other teams, many players and football fans had expected the captain armband to be given to squad leaders such as Antoine Griezmann and other older players. But it was given to 24-year-old Mbappe, who would be happy to receive such responsibility at a very young age.
The head coach of the French team Didier Deschamps, who just signed a contract extension, said in an interview that he considered many options before coming up with Mbappe. According to the manager, he and his team carefully analyzed the players who wanted to become the team's new leader, and they chose Mbappe.
Antoine Griezmann Reported Furious with the Decision
Playing at the club level for Atletico Madrid, Antoine Griezmann is reportedly angry with the selection made by Didier Deschamps. The 32-year-old player is one of the longest-serving members of the France national team and was expected to take the captain armband. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, as he was given the vice-captain armband instead. A France News reporter Le Figaro said the French player is already considering the possibility of leaving the national team and announcing his retirement.
After making his senior debut for the France national team in 2004, Antoine Griezmann has earned 117 caps for his country. The forward, who also plays as an attacking midfielder, has helped the France national team in many ways. Both in goals and assists, Antoine Griezmann has contributed heavily to the national team. He has 42 goals for the team, and this is not a bad stat because he plays as a midfielder in most games. Griezmann was also a prominent squad member who helped France win their world cup in 2018. Because of his wide experience in football, many football fans had expected him to take the armband ahead of Kylian Mbappe.
The Bigger Picture
One of the arguments that settle Didier Deschamps' choice for Kylian Mbappe as the captain of the France national team is that he serves as a long-term alternative. No doubt! Kylian Mbappe is a phenomenal footballer whose goal contributions have helped the team to achieve many feats. He scored all the goals that helped bring France back to the game during the world cup final in 2022.
For Antoine Griezmann, his anger for the choice of captain by Didier Deschamps has not been confirmed yet. He has also not expressed his desire to leave the France national team. Mbappe's France will be in action within the week as part of their international break schedule.