'You carried this team for years' - France captain Kylian Mbappe sends heartfelt message to Antoine Griezmann as 137-cap veteran retires from international football

Griezmann announced his retirement from the French international team on Monday afternoon, calling it time after having made 137 appearances for his country, scoring 44 goals. The Atletico Madrid star helped Didier Deschamps' side win the 2018 World Cup. Mbappe has now voiced out a very heartfelt and emotional message to the departing France legend.

On Instagram, the France captain shared a message for Griezmann, which read: "An exceptional player ending his career in EDF. One of the most important players in the modern era of our national team. Thank you for the unforgettable memories you have given us, you carried this team for years and greatly contributed to bringing it to the top with many titles.

"Some may think it's too early to stop right now but I understand and respect your decision. Wearing this shirt always demands more without sometimes bringing the recognition that comes with it. You will remain in the history of the French team forever. And I will never forget the honour and pleasure it was to play alongside you for so many years. I never trivialized it.

"Have a safe trip my friend & THANK YOU."

France boss Deschamps also shared a message for the former France international who helped the side win both the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League.

Deschamps said: "After a long and careful consideration, Antoine has decided to end his magnificent international career. We had a long discussion about this recently. Since his debut in the French team ten years ago, he and I have maintained a relationship of trust and very frank relations.

"It's never easy to draw a line under the French team. Especially when you've represented it so well, embodied it so well. It takes courage, lucidity and honesty and Antoine, in his analysis, didn't lack any. It's all to his credit.

"Antoine was and will remain a monument of French football, one of the greatest players in its history"

Griezmann's decision comes just a few days before Deschamps is set to announce his France squad for the October international break where Les Bleus will take on Israel and Belgium in the Nations League group stage.