Kylian Mbappe denies rumours of fallout with Antoine Griezmann

Mbappe finally made a return to France’s squad for Nations League games.

Rumours that Kylian Mbappe was the reason for Antoine Griezmann’s decision to retire from international football were denied by the Real Madrid forward.

Griezmann, who had 137 appearances and scored 44 goals for his country, confirmed his retirement from the French national team in September 2024. The 33-year-old attacker was a key member of the France team that won the World Cup in 2018 for the second time ever.

Mbappe wrote a passionate tribute for his countryman at the time of his retirement, hailing Griezmann as one of the greatest players of the modern period of French football. However, the Real Madrid player was blamed for the seasoned attacker’s departure from the national squad.

The 26-year-old discussed his friendship with the Atletico Madrid player and denied the rumours in an interview with Le Parisien.

In the interview, Mbappe said: “We often talk with Antoine. I love his son, he’s a football fanatic, he reminds me a bit of myself when I was little. I love him, Amaro. But after that, it’s true that it’s complicated because we’re in a city where our two teams are real rivals.

“But I can assure you, we have a very good relationship with Antoine. He’s already invited me to his house quite a few times for a barbecue. It hasn’t happened yet, but we’re sure to get there. We live next door, in the same building.”

The Madrid forward also asserted that before Griezmann made the official announcement, he knew about his plan to retire. He also said:

“Not only did I know he was going to quit, but he also explained why. But it’s always the same, it’s his decision, only he can explain to you why he made that choice.”

Mbappe has returned to Didier Deschamps’ squad after missing the last two international breaks. He will captain Les Bleus in their two-leg Nations League quarterfinal matchup against Croatia on March 20 and 23.

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