Striker Antoine Griezmann said that he felt uncomfortable when he could not compete for the captaincy of France with junior Kylian Mbappe.

After goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and centre-back Raphael Varane retired from international careers, coach Didier Deschamps was torn between captains. Without Lloris and Varane, Griezmann wore the captain’s armband like in the defeat to Denmark on September 26, 2022 in the Nations League. But in March 2023, coach Deschamps announced to choose Mbappe as captain. The media said that Griezmann was sulk and could quit the team.

Riezmann (right) and Mbappe celebrate a goal in France’s 3-1 win over Poland in the round of 16 of the World Cup on December 4, 2022 at Al Thumama Stadium, Doha City, Qatar. Photo: Marca

“It is true that this decision is difficult for me to accept,” Griezmann told Telefoot. “I’m 32 years old and nearing the end of my career, but I’m still fit to run. That decision made me feel sick in my stomach for a few days. But I’m fine now, and fully support captain Mbappe.”

Mbappe captained France in all three games this year, and the 25-year-old striker will continue to hold this position in the near future. England can be considered the official captain of France after Lloris 2008-2022.

French media also said that Mbappe was jealous of Griezmann’s influence in the 2021 team. At that time, Griezmann was the core of the team’s play, and almost every ball passed through his feet. In the 2022 World Cup, the Atletico Madrid striker continues to play a key role in the team, but Mbappe shines more with the award of Top Scorer.

Griezmann has found his form at Atletico Madrid, after the 2019-2022 period was not as successful as expected at Barca. Last season, he scored 15 goals and assisted 16 times in La Liga, helping the team to finish third in the league. Griezmann said that he will not leave Atletico to join PSG in the summer of 2023, despite being interested by the French club.