XtraTime Web Desk: France beat Croatia in the final of the 2018 FIFA World Cup last night to clinch their second title and one of the key reasons behind this win was their star forward Antoine Griezmann who scored a goal from penalty and a free-kick from him resulted in a own goal which gave the new champions a crucial opening goal. After the World Cup win the Atletico striker though did his press-conference wearing an Uruguayan flag.
Earlier Griezmann stated that he has a soft corner for the South American nation whom his team beat in the quarter-final of this tournament.
His club relationship with Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez has rubbed off on him andhe admitted that he loves Uruguay, so much that he decided to take the flag when a journalist handed it to him in the mixed zone at the Luzhniki Stadium.
The journalist was from Uruguay and the former Real Sociedad forward quickly draped the flag around his waist, still wearing the national shirt of France.
“I have a lot of respect for them, I have worked with many people from Uruguay,” Griezmann admitted following France’s victory over Uruguay.
“I didn’t want to celebrate in front of them. I love the Uruguayan culture and the people.”
France’s victory in Moscow secured just the nation’s second ever world championship, and Griezmann still wasn’t quite sure how to process the events of Sunday.
“I still haven’t fully understood what it means to be a world champion,” he confirmed.
“I’m very proud of all my teammates and the entire group. I’m looking forward to celebrating with all the fans back in France.”
One of the most exciting aspects of Les Bleus’ success is how young most of the team are, they are built to challenge for honours for years to come, especially with 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe looking ready to emerge as the true successor to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“We are a young group with a great future,” Griezmann intimated.
“The most important thing is that we have a great time together as a group.
“We have a good atmosphere, nobody gets angry, the coach has done a fantastic job.”