Special Envoys in Doha
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His opinion on 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.
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.
»
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.
»
Antoine Griezmann Friday at a press conference FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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.
»
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.
»
