Griezmann refuses to speak to French press, Lizarazu makes an appeal

Antoine Griezmann refused to speak to Téléfoot journalists sent to Orlando to meet him, limiting himself to a few polite words before taking his leave. The former France striker, now a star for MLS franchise Orlando City, simply said: “I’m happy, I’m on the road there, it was my dream. I’m very happy, man. Thanks for coming anyway.” Then, without any apparent hostility: “I’m sorry, but I don’t want to talk. I don’t want to talk to anyone anymore. It’s not against anyone…”

On the pitch, the 33-year-old is displaying brilliant form: 14 goals and 7 assists in 17 matches with Orlando City, statistics that confirm his immediate adaptation to the North American championship. “I’m loving it like crazy,” he had confided in a brief exchange.

His silence toward French media did not escape Bixente Lizarazu, who was present on the Téléfoot panel this Sunday. The 1998 World Cup winner sees it as a sign of a still-fresh wound. “It seems like there’s a bit of resentment about this difficult end at Euro 2024,” he analyzed. “He doesn’t want to talk to French journalists.”

Lizarazu nevertheless wanted to send a direct message to his former international teammate: “I just want to tell him that no matter what, he’s a legend of the France team, of French football, and that supporters adore him and it’s a shame to deprive himself of that. Because if he’s upset with someone, but not with us, there’s no reason… Talk to us Antoine, talk to us!”

Griezmann ended his international career in summer 2024, after a disappointing Euro for France, eliminated in the semi-final by Spain. His departure to MLS, made official shortly after, marked the end of an era for the striker with 137 caps and 44 goals for the French national team.