Griezmann: Messi decision sad
Antoine Griezmann offered his sympathy for Lionel Messi after the Barcelona star called time on his international career.
France hero Antoine Griezmann has described Lionel Messi's apparent decision to retire from international football as "frustrating and sad."
After Argentina's Copa America Centenario final penalty shootout defeat to Chile on Monday (AEST), Messi indicated it would be his last appearance for his country.
The decision would bring an end to a disappointing international career for Messi, whose only honour for Argentina came in the form of a gold medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Griezmann and Messi have been rivals at club level in recent seasons, and the Frenchman was only four goals behind the Barcelona star in La Liga's goal table with his 22 strikes for Atletico Madrid last season.
Of Messi's decision, Griezmann said: "He must have his reasons. I think he lost three or four finals. It's frustrating, it's sad. It must be difficult for him. May be it's just an immediate reaction but after that, we must accept it.
"He's a great player who did everything for his country. He has not had the chance to win a cup with his country, unfortunately."
Griezmann helped France maintain its own challenge for silverware by scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over the Republic Of Ireland at UEFA Euro 2016.
The 25-year-old has emerged as the talisman for Didier Deschamps' side but he insists he is not feeling the kind of pressure that Messi experienced with Argentina.
He said: "At Atletico too, they say that I'm the leader [of the attack]. I went to the final of the [UEFA] Champions League, and I scored 32 goals. This pressure does not weigh too much. I'm on the field to have fun and give pleasure to the fans."
