Ahead of the 2022 World Cup final, Lionel Messi was the clear favourite for the player of the tournament award, but if he was to have a rival, it was Antoine Griezmann not Kylian Mbappe.
The latter’s hat-trick and obscene performance in the final somewhat placed Griezmann’s tournament in the background, but over the last decade, the Atletico Madrid forward has been Les Bleus most consistent player.
After Hugo Lloris retired, many expected Griezmann to take over the captaincy for France, as their most senior player. Yet one of his biggest advocates, Didier Deschamps, went for Mbappe over Griezmann.
“It was difficult… Difficult…” Griezmann admits.
“I took a day or two to digest it. Now, totally with Mbappe. With Kylian, there are no worries. It is a pleasure to play with him and for him. He knows we need him, like in the World Cup. What he did in the final… it’s not normal,” he told Telefoot, as carried by Diario AS.
“He has this level to win everything and it’s up to us to put him in the best conditions so he can lift his first trophy as captain of the France team.”
Part of Griezmann’s very impressive redemption at Atletico has been his willingness to put aside ego and sacrifice for the team. Not only in his work-rate, but also his ability to change his position for the good of the team, rather than necessarily himself. The way he has endeared himself to the Metropolitano is symptomatic of what Griezmann shows again in this interview – a total commitment to the team above all else.
teubdnpsz
0
Listen kylian mbappe you like calming senior both clubs side and national team bring yourself down 👇 you can seeing how Neymar now because Neymar bring herself up look at every body thinking that Neymar will win Ballon d.or and champions league in PSG only that him win champions league in Barcelona because his have big players control Neymar them so kylian mbappe l love as a football ⚽ person but don't show yourself and leave PSG go to real Madrid the club will make you win Ballon d.or ok 👌 and champions league go to real Madrid this summer don't listen 👂 to PSG president this summer
hebbcdekly
2
He deserves to be the skipper of the team, he is a conjurer and a fantastic player
Beckly
5
Griezmann needed no competition for this captaincy
vehbcdor
4
I love Mbappe, but I'm also still baffled as how he is the captain and not Griezmann
Shauny300
5
I don’t care what no one says Mbappe ain’t no captain he literally throw tantrums when he don’t receive the ball like he’s a toddler but fans think one little speech at the World Cup makes him captain lmao
Taebilrs
4
Most underrated player 🥺