**Farewell to Antoine Griezmann: France Will Soon Realize His Irreplaceable Legacy** Antoine Griezmann, with his remarkable talent, skill, and character, stands as one of France's all-time greats. Yet, despite his contributions, he often finds himself underappreciated. After France's 3-1 defeat to Italy on September 6, not all players left the pitch immediately. Griezmann took a moment to walk around the perimeter, acknowledging the crowd. Unbeknownst to many, this was his 136th appearance for the national team, and he would make one final appearance three days later in Lyon, where he played for just 11 minutes against Belgium. This was his last opportunity to bid farewell in the French capital. There were no grand gestures—no fireworks, no highlight reels displayed on the big screen, and no formal tribute in the center of the pitch. All he sought was a quiet moment of connection with a French audience that is only beginning to recognize the extent of his greatness. This may sound surprising. Over the past eight years, France has reached three major finals, and Griezmann could easily be considered the standout player—not just for his country, but in the tournaments as a whole. Yet, fewer French fans than one might expect would rank him among the top five players to don the blue jersey. Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini would likely vie for the top spot, given their pivotal roles in the national team's early successes. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé, the Golden Boot winner from Qatar 2022, is a natural choice for younger supporters, despite being only 25. As time passes, it is likely that France will come to fully appreciate the irreplaceable legacy of Antoine Griezmann. His contributions to the national team are profound, and his absence will be felt deeply.