Antoine Griezmann's mind-blowing record with France is officially over after seven years and 84 games
It is France's longest streak by 40 games. Unbelievable.
The streak is over.
After a remarkable stretch of playing every France game since August 2017, Antoine Griezmann will not feature for Les Bleus in Saturday's friendly clash against Germany.
Griezmann, who is France's fourth-highest scorer with 44 goals in 127 games, suffered an ankle injury in the build-up to this month's games against Germany and Chile.
He will be replaced by Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, meaning his remarkable run of playing at least a minute in the last 84 games will come to an unfortunate end.
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The last time he failed to appear for France? A 3-2 friendly win over England in June 2017.
"After 84 consecutive games for France, Antoine Griezmann's record run ends there," the France national team confirmed on social media.
"With an injured ankle, Grizi is replaced by Matteo Guendouzi. Get well soon, Antoine."
The 32-year-old has achieved so much in that seven-year period. He lifted the World Cup in 2018 and scored the first goal during the final against Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium.
Griezmann's performances in Russia also earned him the Silver Ball – the tournament's second-best player – and four years later, his contribution in Qatar, where France reached the final, was once again outstanding.
In total, he has notched 28 goals and 30 assists during that 84-game streak, with notable performances coming against the Netherlands, Finland and Germany, to name a few.
Speaking about Griezmann's absence ahead of this month's friendlies, France boss Didier Deschamps said: "With Antoine's qualities, we are not going to find a player who has these characteristics.
"As a replacement position for position, I don't like the word impossible, but it's very, very, very difficult to find. So we will arrange it a little differently."
Griezmann recently stated his intention to feature for France at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
"I will do everything to participate in the Paris Games," Griezmann told Le Monde. "Having the Games in Paris is something exceptional."
Topics: Antoine Griezmann, France, Atletico Madrid, Didier Deschamps
Jack Kenmare