The 2018 world champion, discreet in the media, spoke two days before the round of 16 of the World Cup against Poland.
Special Envoys in Doha
Antoine Griezmann landed at 5:04 p.m. (2 hours less in France) all smiles and relaxed in the press room of the Jassim-bin-Hamad stadium in Doha. In front of him, assistance provided by French and foreign media, present in large numbers to attend his press conference. Anything but insignificant that he shows up at this precise moment to deliver the good word. Another competition begins in Qatar. Make way for the owner(s).
Two days before the round of 16 against Poland (Sunday 4 p.m.), the French international (31 years old, 113 caps) gave the change in an exercise he mastered to perfection. For a real show between ambition, love for France, human relationship and discretion. Extracts.
The disallowed goal against Tunisia
“I was already one of the first to score a goal canceled by the VAR during a France-Spain I believe… It’s boring, it doesn’t allow you to celebrate as you want. Disappointed, but we were nice because we were already qualified. It would have been different if we still had something to play…”
SEE ALSO – ‘We were nice because we already qualified’: Antoine Griezmann reacts to his disallowed goal against Tunisia
His view of Didier Deschamps
“I owe him a lot, he called me first and we’ve never been apart since, it’s a great relationship. I owe him everything in the France team. I give everything for the jersey, France but also for him. I try to do everything so that he continues to trust me. Every match, every action, it’s like a thank you that I send him. I want to try to do everything to make him proud of his number 7. Power to the group? He likes talking with the players, knowing how we feel is very important to him. He will always try to find the best solution for the balance of the team. We find, we found it, we must continue on this. He trusts everyone, it’s a strength on his part. We have a group that is aware of it. We are completely behind when he gives an order, an advice.
Read alsoWorld Cup: Antoine Griezmann, the true conductor of the Blues
His joy of living in Qatar
“Being very well physically helps me a lot. There is no problem in my private life, in my head. I had quite a difficult time at Barcelona, it was complicated. Last year, I came back to Atlético, it was complicated too, I had to work, make myself small, find myself on and off the pitch. Now I am full of confidence, I feel very good at club and nationally. I know that people need me, they trust me, everything is going well.
SEE ALSO – Everything you need to know about France-Poland
“My last World Cup in Qatar? I don’t know, we’ll have to see according to my performance. There, it was limited according to what I heard (from the media on his level). »
Antoine Griezman on playing his last World Cup with the Blues in Qatar
Changes from Switzerland to the Euro
“We were a little too relaxed against Switzerland when we were leading 3-1, we thought it was over. In major competitions, it’s always difficult, there is no easy opponent and it will be the same against Poland, complicated, you have to prepare well, it’s not a foregone conclusion, you don’t have to give up nothing for 90 minutes. The coach believes a lot in the group, he gives all the powers to the group, it’s up to us to manage it, to have a good mentality on and off the pitch. We are on the right path. The group lives well, gives their all to training, the 11 who start where those who are brought back. It’s perfect for going as far as possible. (…) Poland, it will be complicated. There are a lot of changes in the group compared to the Euro. We are not in quarter. There is an 8th to play. We will have to work hard in the days to come to reach the top for this match. It’s a round of 16 World Cup, we’ve seen it, we can lose against anyone, we’ve seen it in the other groups. Switzerland ? You have to move on even if it hurts… We will remember before the match that nothing is certain, anything can happen, we can lose or win at any time, whether you are leading or not.
A frustrating role (or not) from an offensive point of view
“No, afterwards, I had the opportunities to score one. I may be less close to the surface but I play good matches. I miss this goal but I will not shoot 50 times per game, I will try to find the best solution on a pass or a shot. I don’t worry about the goal. The team needs me more in the heart of the game, this defense-attack relationship, being close to my defense when we don’t have the ball. Up front, I’m not going to break my head shooting 10 times per game, I have to try to put the attackers in the best conditions, try to find Kylian or Ousmane for a one-on-one, or on a cross. I am more in this vision than me being at the finish.
Last World Cup with the France team… or not
“I don’t know, we will have to see according to my performance. There, it was limited according to what I heard (smile). We’ll see, I said physically presentable (before joining MLS at 32-33), I might have gained extra pounds and I won’t be able to play in the next World Cup… We’ll see if it’s my last World Cup. I am enjoying. There are a lot of things around too… You also have to perform well in a club. We’ll see… If people follow me that my desire and my joie de vivre are still there, we’ll see, but I’m not asking myself the question today.
LGBT support
“A little embarrassed (to play a World Cup in Qatar), yes and no… No matter where I am in the world, they will always have my support and my respect. Afterwards, I am a footballer, it is my profession, my country calls me for an international competition, it is with pride and a lot of desire that I come.
If its approach is different in 2022 compared to 2014 and 2018
“Yes, my approach is different. I told Matteo (Guendouzi) and Jordan (Veretout) what they felt against Tunisia, I also remember my first match with stress, heavy legs… You make a pass, you don’t feel the ball. In 2014, it wasn’t me, and neither was it in terms of feeling (the Blues were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Germany). But the more we advance, the more we play competitions, the older we get, we relax, but the stress and the adrenaline are there when the match arrives. »
“Kylian is much more in the group (in 2022 compared to 2018), he brings the joy of living, is important for us. He knows that every gesture will be watched by journalists, fans and also players. He is beyond reproach”
Antoine Griezmann on Kylian Mbappe
His view of Mbappé
“Kylian in 2018 is not the same player, nor the same personality as now. He is much more in the group, brings joy to life, is important for us. He knows that every gesture will be watched by journalists, fans and also players. He is beyond reproach. »
Read also“I will never be unanimous”: how Benjamin Pavard experiences his downgrading with the Blues
Its hybrid role in breeding
“I am quite free, I have to be in the relationship with the defense and the attackers. I also want to help my teammates, put them in the best conditions. I have 3 players (Mbappé, Giroud, Dembélé) in front of me, so more choice and it’s easier for me. Physically, I am very well and when I am, my head is better. In these conditions, it’s easier to play and to repeat efforts. »
The Blues, a more offensive team than in 2018
“There are more attacking players than in 2018 but we need this balance, to be compact without the ball. This is actually the most important. Without a great defense, you don’t win competitions. Olivier and Ousmane do an exceptional job, Kylian does it from time to time. But he has to keep his legs cool for the counterattacks. We are all about balance. Even if we have offensive players, we must not forget when we do not have the ball. So far, we are doing very well. We must continue to do so. This will be key for our future in this competition.”
His complicity with Mbappé on the ground
“We don’t have a lot of matches or minutes played together, so it’s complicated to work on this bond. It will come as the matches and years pass (together). I am in a role where I descend a lot. I’m starting to understand his game, what he needs, what he wants. It’s easier after several matches together. »
Read alsoThe decisive Mbappé-Lewandowski duel in the heart of France-Poland
The management of kicks stopped at the Blues
“I’m here if necessary (smile). It depends on what the coach wants, what the team needs. The coach asks me to take corners and free kicks for now (smile). It is very clear on this point who shoots the penalties (implying Mbappé is the designated shooter). But we are not going to give the information (to the Poles). Szczesny will have the surprise of the shooter, if we have one on Sunday (in the round of 16). We haven’t worked on the penalties yet, maybe today (Friday). Ah no tomorrow (Saturday) because today it’s open to the media. (laughs)”
“There is a lot of envy in these World Cup matches, to say that I lost myself in the matches before, it’s a bit mean and harsh”
Antoine Griezmann on his struggles
Read alsoBest of 2021 – Antoine Griezmann: “I am French and everything that happens in my country interests me”
His difficulties in club or selection before the World Cup
“There is a lot of envy in these World Cup matches, to say that I lost myself in the matches before, it’s a bit mean and harsh. Competing in the World Cup, there is always this desire to do well that predominates. It’s a short competition, packed in time and you have to give everything for 7 matches. There is no question of fatigue and you have to give everything to play with the most beautiful jersey in the world. »
The upcoming record of Lloris which will equal Thuram
“He is a very great person, a very great goalkeeper who saved us many times in 2018. I have immense respect for his career, he will go down in the history of the France team (on Sunday, he will have 142 capes, like Lilian Thuram). He can be proud of what he is doing. He is a very good friend, a great comrade, an easy-going person with whom we take pleasure even if he is not very talkative. »
Difficulty managing favorite status
“No, against Tunisia, there were a lot of changes, no automatism, players who did not play their position. And they knew they were being watched. It was complicated to play. Afterwards, favorite or not, we have to be focused on us and keep the state of mind of the first two matches, we were concerned offensively and defensively.
His record of (soon) 71 matches in a row for the France team
“Yes it matters. Vieira was 44, I remember that at the 40th selection, I made calls with my foot so that the coach continued to put (smile). I was lucky not to be too injured, it’s a huge honor, a great pride, I want to give everything for this shirt and the coach. »
His message to Pelé, currently hospitalized
” What to say ? It’s a legend. I’ve never met him, and I hope to. He is a legend of football, of Brazil and no matter what I say, it will not be at the level of the player or the person he is. We saw his videos, his goals scored, it was exceptional. »