Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann pulls out of France squad with ankle injury

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 18 March 2024

Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann withdraws from the France squad with an ankle injury, ending his streak of 84 successive appearances for France.

Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann has withdrawn from the France squad with an ankle injury, ending his remarkable streak of successive appearances for his country.

The 32-year-old last failed to appear for Les Bleus in a 3-2 friendly win over England in June 2017, since when he has formed a part of Didier Deschamps's side in 84 straight international matches.

Griezmann earned his 127th and most recent cap for France in their final Euro 2024 qualifier in November, captaining Les Bleus to a 2-2 draw against Greece to round off an unbeaten group run.

The former Barcelona man has produced 44 goals and 38 assists for his country, and he earned an expected call-up for March's matches with Germany and Chile, to be played on the 23rd and 26th respectively.

However, Griezmann's all-time record streak of consecutive international appearances will now come to an end, as France have revealed that the veteran attacker has been forced to pull out of the ranks through injury.

After 84 consecutive games for France, Antoine Griezmann's record run ends there...

With an injured ankle, Grizi is replaced by Matteo Guendouzi.

Get well soon, Antoine 💙 pic.twitter.com/WEp5ofgpAz
— French Team ⭐⭐ (@FrenchTeam) March 18, 2024

The Atletico man sustained the issue in his side's Champions League last-16 second-leg showdown with Inter Milan, coming off on the 105-minute mark in extra time as Diego Simeone's side advanced on penalties.

Griezmann was passed fit for the weekend's La Liga clash with Barcelona and came on for the second half of that 3-0 defeat before linking up with his international teammates at their training centre in Clairefontaine.

However, Les Bleus announced his withdrawal on Monday evening, and in Griezmann's place, Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi will reinforce Deschamps's ranks.

"After 84 consecutive games for France, Antoine Griezmann's record run ends there... With an injured ankle, Grizi is replaced by Matteo Guendouzi. Get well soon, Antoine," France said on social media.

Griezmann is the first France player to withdraw through injury this month, but Kingsley Coman, Christopher Nkunku, Wesley Fofana and Boubacar Kamara are already missing through their own physical woes.