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Antoine Griezmann wants France to forget about their European Championship misery and rally together ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The French lost 1-0 to Portugal in extra time of the Euro 2016 final, but Griezmann picked up the top scorer award with six goals, and was named player of the tournament.
Despite interest from around Europe, Griezmann opted to stay at Atletico Madrid and is now ready to play a key role in his country's upcoming games -- a friendly against Italy on Thursday before their qualifier against Belarus next Tuesday.
"I think we have to forget the Euro. It was beautiful, it was in France, but we must move on. We must think about the World Cup, which is our goal," Griezmann said.
"It's not because we were in the final of Euro that we will qualify for the World Cup. We must now think about winning matches."
Didier Deschamp will be able to call upon Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane, who missed the Euros due to a thigh injury.
Varane is expected to line up alongside Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny in defence, and Griezmann is thrilled to have the 23-year-old back in the team.
"It's [Varane's return] good for us. We need a great defender like him," Griezmann said. "I think he is someone who likes to speak. So I think he will do it without hesitation."
France are in Group A along with the Netherlands, Sweden, Bulgaria, Luxembourg and Belarus.
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