Alexandre Lacazette admits his treatment by the French national team hurt him in the past, but he’s putting it all behind him now.

Lyon's French forward #10 Alexandre Lacazette takes a shot during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) and LOSC (Lille) at the Groupama stadium in Lyon, central eastern France on November 26, 2023. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images)
Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette takes a shot during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) and LOSC (Lille) at the Groupama stadium in Lyon, central eastern France on November 26, 2023. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE/AFP via Getty Images)

Alexandre Lacazette has a complex history with the French national team, but on Monday he was part of the Olympic team reaching the final, guaranteeing at least a silver medal for his country.

Reflecting on his international career, the former Gunner suggests this tournament has given him the opportunity to put his old grievances to rest.

“I was hurt for a long time, it’s true,” Lacazette said. “But now, it’s in the past, because having been called up for these Olympic Games and living what I’ve been living every day since the start of the tournament, with this group, it’s just incredible.

“The rest is part of my story. I don’t want to talk about it.”

lacazette griezmann
France’s forward Alexandre Lacazette (L) and France’s forward Antoine Griezmann look on during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying football match between Bulgaria and France at The Vasil Levski Stadium in Sofia on October 7, 2017. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Lacazette made his debut for France more than 10 years ago, appearing in a friendly against Uruguay in June 2013.

But the striker only made 16 international appearances over the next four-and-a-half years, and he dropped out of the national team completely from 2018 onwards.

Ironically, Lacazette’s final appearance for France was arguably his best, as he scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Germany. He wasn’t even on the pitch when Germany scored their 93rd-minute equaliser.

Yet far from earning him more minutes, Lacazette was never involved in Didier Deschamps’ side again.

Lyon's French forward #10 Alexandre Lacazette (L) celebrates with Lyon's French defender #20 Sael Kumbedi after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) and Toulouse (TFC) at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, central eastern France, on December 10, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)
Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette (L) celebrates with Sael Kumbedi after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) and Toulouse (TFC) at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, central eastern France, on December 10, 2023. (Photo by OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Images)

Instead, Lacazette got the chance to revive his international career by playing for Thierry Henry’s Olympic team in Paris this summer.

Olympic football teams are largely composed of under-23 players, but each team is allowed three over-23 players, and Henry selected Lacazette as one of his.

The striker has led France as team captain in their run to the final, scoring one goal and assisting one in four appearances so far. He’ll now hope to add one more goal against Spain in Friday’s final.