Théo Hernandez feels ‘lonely’ in France set-up following Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud retirements | OneFootball

Olivier Giroud’s international retirement in the wake of Euro 2024 came as no surprise. France’s all-time leading goal-scorer was set for a summer move to the MLS and he openly spoke about retiring from international football pre-tournament. Antoine Griezmann’s decision to no longer play for France, however, came as a much bigger surprise. The Atletico Madrid forward was present for Les Bleus during the September international break before hanging up his boots just before Didier Deschamps’ squad announcement in October.

Those two retirements in particular have left Théo Hernandez (27) in what L’Équipe have described as a “lonely” situation, given the AC Milan defender’s close friendship with the two aforementioned players. The absence of his brother, Lucas Hernandez, through injury does not help matters, nor does the continued absence of Benjamin Pavard. However, following Wesley Fofana’s injury, the latter has now received a call-up, his first since Euro 2024.

This isolated feeling comes amid a downturn in form for Les Bleus, which has not gone unnoticed by Didier Deschamps. A physical issue has been evoked by the technical staff within the France set-up, although Hernandez’s entourage have highlighted the difference in tactical instructions between France and AC Milan.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle