Lizarazu appeals to silent Griezmann since his MLS departure

Antoine Griezmann no longer speaks to French journalists. Since his transfer to Orlando City in July, the former France international has maintained a deliberate silence with French media, to the point that the Téléfoot team, sent to Florida on Sunday, could only extract a few words from him through his car window.

This silence prompted Bixente Lizarazu, TF1 consultant and 1998 World Cup winner, to speak publicly. “It seems there’s a bit of resentment over this difficult end to Euro 2024,” he analysed, recalling that after the tournament, Griezmann had announced his international retirement. “He doesn’t want to talk to French journalists.”

Lizarazu nevertheless sought to place the player in his historical context before extending an olive branch. “I just want to tell him that, whatever happens, he’s a legend of the France team, he’s a legend of French football, that French supporters adore him and it’s a shame to deprive himself of that.” He concluded with a direct appeal: “If he’s angry at someone… But not at us. Talk to us Antoine.”

On the pitch, Griezmann is in any case showing no signs of decline. After ten seasons at Atlético de Madrid, the Mâcon native quickly established himself in MLS: 15 goals in 22 matches across all competitions with Orlando City, figures that contrast sharply with the low profile he maintains off the pitch.