The status of Antoine Griezmann, one of the major players of his era, and even of all blue eras, but not a captain, nor the absolute star of the France team, although he came close during the 2018 World Cup, has no real equivalent in the history of French football. Probably because “darling” doesn’t really exist. Between Didier Deschamps and him, this certainly covers an emotional bond formed over almost ten years in blue, but is not accompanied by any ambiguity about the reasons for his continued presence. Griezmann is a great player, he is there, period. The only personal concession, perhaps, in the name of this long-term link, is undoubtedly the desire of the coach not to interrupt without reason the exceptional series of selections in progress (82) of the Atlético de Madrid, even for friendly meetings which do nothing for its glory.
