It took him months, but Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann finally spoke up about his feelings after not being selected as France's national football team captain and losing it to a younger Kylian Mbappe.

As tradition goes, the more senior player usually takes the armband at club or national team levels.

However, that did not happen when France made its title defense in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Griezmann thought he was the next in line to become the team captain, but that did not happen. He said he had difficulties in accepting the decision.

"I took a day or two to digest it," the star forward was quoted as saying by Telefoot.

"Now, totally with Mbappe. With Kylian, there are no worries. It is a pleasure to play with him and for him. He knows we need him, like in the World Cup. What he did in the final... it's not normal."

Mbappe's tenure as France's captain ran well until they met Argentina and Lionel Messi in the finals and lost to them in the world championship.

Les Bleus back on the pitch

Griezmann, Mbappe, and the rest of Les Bleus are back on the pitch this month for the UEFA Euro Qualifiers, and they are playing like a well-oiled machine again, cruising to victories over Gibraltar and Greece.

The 32-year-old Atletico star, however, suffered a gruesome injury in the win against Greece after colliding with Konstantinos Mavropanos.

Mbappe took over and kicked the penalty into the net to secure the victory.