The Atlético de Madrid player was present at a press conference on the eve of the Blues match against Greece on Monday and answered many questions, including about his possible participation in the Olympics.
It’s been a long time since Antoine Griezmann (118 caps, 43 goals) appeared at a press conference. His smile and his good humor had been missed by journalists, impatient to see him tumble into the auditorium of the Stade de France, Sunday, June 18, on the eve of the match of the French team against Greece. As a good vice-captain, the best passer in the history of the Blues took over from Kylian Mbappé, and did not evade any questions, as usual.
Griezmann was first invited to speak on the issue of the 2024 Olympics, which was raised several times during this gathering. Griezmann had previously claimed that it would be “of a dream” to be at the Olympics. He repeated it this Sunday: “It would be a dream for me. I haven’t spoken to my club about it, but if I’m called up I’ll put extraordinary pressure to let me do it..”
“I will have to be released”
In the coming months, Griezmann may have to discuss with the leaders of Atlético de Madrid to convince them. The summer of 2024 would look like a marathon for “Grizou”, who could then chain the Euro in Germany (June 14-July 14) then the Olympics (July 24-August 10). The interested party will then be 33 years old, but will he play his last major competitions with the France team? “If I have the level, I want to go as far as possible and never stop”retorted the number 7 of the Blues.
Griezmann, who remains on 77 caps in a row with the Blues, “love the France team too much“to emulate his ex-teammates Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda, Karim Benzema and Raphaël Varane, who have retired from international duty in recent months.”It would have to be taken away from me, released from me”, he even insisted. A few seconds earlier, the Colchoneros striker had just clarified things: “There was never any question of stopping the selection.”
His status as vice-captain digested
A withdrawal from Griezmann was mentioned last March, when Didier Deschamps chose to appoint Kylian Mbappé as the new captain of the France team. In reality, “Grizou” had dragged his spleen only “two days“, as he pointed out to Telefoot Sunday morning. Not enough to stop the selection, therefore. “I accepted and I’m fully behind Kylian, I’m doing my best to help him and help the team on the pitch“, explained Griezmann.
The latter also projected himself on his future in the club, reaffirming that playing in MLS, where Lionel Messi will commit, “remains a goal. After fifteen minutes of discussion with the journalists, Griezmann tried to avoid training the day before the match, shouting at Deschamps as he left the auditorium: “It is so hot. Coach, I don’t train, it’s useless, I sweated so much.” End of inadmissibility from the coach, who has not planned to do without his master to play.