French national team striker Antoine Griezmann shows off special edition shoes in a friendly match Les Bleus against Uruguay at the Stade de France on Tuesday night (20/11). The Atletico Madrid player wore shoes with French and Uruguayan flag specifically for the match. In his Instagram account, he showed his French-flagged left shoes. While in the Uruguay-flagged right shoes.
Griezmann has a special relationship with Uruguay. He openly considered Uruguay a second home for him. The 27-year-old player has never forgotten the services of the Uruguay national team veteran, Martin Lasarte. He is a coach and person who is considered capable of realizing the ideals of Griezmann as a professional footballer.
The player also has a close relationship as a friend with Uruguayan player Carlos Bueno. When in Atletico Madrid’s uniform, he had a number of colleagues from Uruguay and became close friends. Among other things, Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin. In fact, Godin became the godfather of Griezmann’s daughter Mia.
“I like the culture of Uruguay and its people, so I really respect them,” he said.
Griezmann’s attitude was criticized by Uruguay striker Luis Suarez. “Antoine (Griezmann) said he was half-Uruguayan but he was French and he did not know what Uruguay felt,” Suarez said some time ago.
But Griezmann insists he has fallen in love with Uruguay. The owner of the No.7 Jersey even wear special shoes in the France vs Uruguay match. The shoes he wear display the flags of both countries.
France won a 1-0 victory over Uruguay in the friendly match. The only goal of Didier Deschamps’ side was scored by Olivier Giroud through a penalty in the 52nd minute. France received a penalty also thanks to Griezmann’s action. Kick his left foot in the penalty box about Bruno Mendez’s hand in the 51st minute so the referee pointed to the spot.
France once met Uruguay in the 2018 World Cup quarter-final match. At that time Les Bleus won 2-0, one of which was thanks to Griezmann’s goal. The former Real Sociedad player chose not to celebrate his goal at the time because he felt respect for Uruguay.
“I did not celebrate the goal because when I started to become a professional player I was supported by a Uruguayan who taught me good and bad things in football. I really respect Uruguay as a country,” Griezmann was quoted as saying on the FIFA website.
“I was also playing against friends, so I thought it was normal not to celebrate.” he added.
