France coach Didier Deschamps has branded Antoine Griezmann “one of the greatest players of all time” anywhere in the world, and praises Barcelona’s forward role and influence as a “game changer” with the French national team.
For 30 years now, Griezmann has been playing in his fourth major tournament for France. He made his senior debut in 2014, went to this summer’s WC, was the top scorer on the home field at the EC 2016 and was an important part of the team that won the WC 2018.
The player comes close to his 100th cap if France goes far in Euro 2020 and has succeeded with 37 goals and placed him in fourth place on the all-time top scorer list ahead of French legends such as David Trezeguet (34), Zinedine Zidane (31), Just Fontaine (30) and Jean-Pierre Papin (30).
“The statistics speak for themselves,” said Deschamps, via beIN SPORTS. “You can see the influence he has for the French national team through the goals he has scored and through his assists.
Griezmann was the top scorer in the European Championship 2016 and won the World Cup 2018 / Matthias Hangst / Getty Images
“Add the ability to change games and get stuck in and defend when we don’t have the ball. He is one of the greatest players of all time in Europe and the world.”
Deschamps continued: “He is one of our technical leaders. He is a game changer with how he moves, the control he has with the ball and the goals he can score and his assists. He is an offensive player, a very creative player and has this ability to think outside the box.
“It’s something he’s proven to us time and time again, it’s remarkable to watch even though he’s happy to come back and defend. Maybe he’s doing it a little too much. I’m not going to take it away from him. It’s completely natural for him and important for our balance. ”
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