Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

'Griezmann in same league as Ronaldo, Messi'

July 09, 2016 18:26 IST

Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates after scoring against Germany

IMAGE: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates after scoring against Germany. Photograph: Kai Pfaffenbach Livepic/Reuters

France right back Bacary Sagna said teammate Antoine Griezmann now belonged to the same elite club as the Portugal forward.

"Ronaldo, we know him. He's one of the best players in the world -- if not the best -- and he has worked very hard to get there," Sagna told a news conference on Saturday.

"Antoine, to me, is right up there too, in the same league as Ronaldo and Lionel Messi."

Griezmann, who left for Spain as a teenager after being turned down by French academies because he was regarded as not being big enough, matured to become one of the world's most dangerous strikers.

"It's a kind of revenge for him after the French academies wouldn't take him," Sagna said.

"He made it the hard way and he deserves to be where he is."

Griezmann, who steered Atletico Madrid to the Champions League final this season, has scored six goals so far in the tournament, more than any player since France's Michel Platini hit a record nine at the 1984 finals.

Boyish Griezmann shapes himself into France's superhero at Euro

The No 7 shirt set to take centre stage at Euro 2016 final

AGENCIES