Antoine Griezmann's remarkable streak of 84 consecutive appearances for France comes to an end as he is sidelined with an ankle sprain, ruling him out of the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Chile. The Atletico Madrid star's absence marks the first time he's missed a call-up since November 2016, prompting coach Didier Deschamps to turn to Lazio's Matteo Guendouzi as his replacement.

France's national football team faces a significant setback ahead of their crucial friendlies against Germany and Chile as Antoine Griezmann, their seasoned forward, has been ruled out with an ankle sprain, marking the end of his impressive streak of 84 consecutive appearances for Les Bleus. The absence of the Atletico Madrid star, who has been a cornerstone of the French squad since November 2016, poses a challenge for coach Didier Deschamps as they gear up for their final preparatory matches before the Euro 2024 tournament.

Matteo Guendouzi, the talented midfielder from Lazio, steps in to fill the void left by Griezmann's absence, earning a call-up for the first time since the last World Cup. Deschamps acknowledged the difficulty of replacing a player of Griezmann's caliber, describing him as "essential" for the French setup, but ultimately deferred to the recommendations of the team doctor, opting to prioritize the star's recovery.

Griezmann's injury woes come amidst his return to action for Atletico Madrid, having recently made a comeback after missing four games due to the same ankle issue. Despite featuring in the Champions League clash against Inter Milan and the La Liga fixture against Barcelona, the 32-year-old forward experienced a setback, prompting Deschamps to make the tough decision to sideline him from national duties.

Deschamps faces additional concerns regarding the fitness of key players such as Mike Maignan and Ousmane Dembele, with injuries and recovery looming as crucial factors in the team's preparations. The coach remains optimistic about the availability of Adrien Rabiot, Lucas Hernandez, and Ibrahima Konate, as he aims to assemble a competitive squad for the upcoming friendlies and beyond.

As France navigates through this phase of uncertainty, Deschamps emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in squad selection, with an eye towards anticipating potential injuries and contingencies leading up to the Euro 2024 tournament. With friendlies against Germany and Chile on the horizon, Les Bleus seek to fine-tune their preparations and maintain their competitive edge as they set their sights on continental glory.