Both in the lead-up and the aftermath of France's clash with Uruguay, Griezmann had made a point of stressing his affinity with the South American side. The Atletico Madrid forward was coming up against a defensive partnership of Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez, an Uruguayan pair who are his friends from club football.
Godin is godfather to Griezmann's daughter, and he explained his love for the defender and his nation ahead of the game. "The first time I signed a deal I called him, he told me good things about the club and that made me want to sign for Atletico Madrid," he said. "It's a nationality that I love, a country that I love and it's going to be very emotional for me, but I'm sure it'll be a good match."
The Frenchman, who is a supporter of Uruguayan side Penarol, reiterated his affection for the country after France defeated 'La Celeste' 0-2. Griezmann was on the scoresheet, but he refused to celebrate his goal, and he explained why in the post-match interviews.
"When I started, someone from Uruguay taught me the good and bad of football," he stated. "I love Uruguayan culture and Uruguayans. I have respect for Uruguay and it was normal not to celebrate my goals."
However, although this is a seemingly classy gesture, one man who isn't buying it is Luis Suarez. The Barcelona striker was asked about his thoughts on Griezmann's actions after the tie, and he wasn't having any of it. "He's not Uruguayan," Suarez said. "He's French and he scored a goal."
For the Barcelona striker, Griezmann doesn't understand what he and his compatriots have gone through. "He doesn't know what we have to do to succeed in football," he said. "He will have his customs and his Uruguayan way of speaking, but we feel differently."