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Topics: Antoine Griezmann, France, Football
Adnan Riaz
Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann is reportedly weighing up his future with the France national team after Didier Deschamps snubbed him for the captain’s armband.
Griezmann defied expectations and impressed for France during their run to the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar before his side fell short to eventual winners Argentina.
The 32-year-old French forward put in a string of superb performances under France manager Deschamps, who kept faith in Griezmann for the tournament in Qatar.
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Griezmann, who lifted the World Cup trophy with France in Russia, could now be set to quit the French national team amid reports he was overlooked for the captaincy.
According to reports, Deschamps informed France players on Monday evening that Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe would inherit the captain’s armband.
Mbappe, who was appointed PSG vice-captain this season, had been heavily linked with the France captaincy after Hugo Lloris announced his retirement following the World Cup.
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Griezmann is set to be vice-captain for France, but Le Figaro reports that the former Barcelona star has been left ‘upset and hurt’ by Deschamps’ decision over the captaincy.
The French newspaper added that Griezmann is considering his long-term future with France after Mbappe pipped him as Lloris’ successor.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, the 2018 World Cup winner has linked up with his France teammates during the international break.
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France will kick off their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign this month when they host the Netherlands at the Stade de France on Friday.
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And Deschamps’ men will then travel to the Aviva Stadium on 27th March for their qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland.
Mbappe is expected to be wearing the captain’s armband for France’s forthcoming clash with the Netherlands.
Speaking at his press conference on Monday, Deschamps insisted that his choice for the next France captain came down to “legitimacy” and that “the common interest will prevail.”
Deschamps, who inked a deal that would keep him as France head coach until 2026, also believed that Mbappe has stepped up his leadership since the World Cup.