Antoine Griezmann believes he belongs among the world’s best following his nomination for UEFA’s Best Player award alongside Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
The Atletico Madrid and France striker had his finest season to date scoring 29 goals in all competitions for his club, as well as an impressive Euro 2016 haul, with six goals which earned the 25-year-old the Golden Boot award.
Speaking to UEFA’s website before the announcement, Griezmann said: “Without being big-headed, I think I deserve the nomination because I had a great season with my club and the national team.”
“It means I’m on the right track to be among the best. I have to keep going that way, keep working hard and giving joy to people when I play.”
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Griezmann faces an uphill battle to claim the award with Cristiano Ronaldo heavily favoured to claim his second UEFA Best Player award, after claiming it in 2014.
The Portuguese star was present at the event, and believes he is also well placed to claim the award: “In terms of trophies it was possibly the best of my career.”
“After winning the Champions League, winning the European Championship with my country capped an extraordinary year.
The same goes both collectively and individually, because I was top scorer in the Champions League…It really was a top-drawer, excellent season for me.”
The 31-year-old Portuguese winger also had his sixth consecutive 50 or more goals season but was particularly quick to heap praise on Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane.
“He’s a great professional, a great person and, in my opinion, his biggest quality is his ability to give his players a sense of calm. That’s what we needed and after he arrived the team went from 0 to 100.
“In the Champions League we did what we had to do – and went on to win it. What more could you ask? Zidane deserves a lot of credit,” said the three-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The winner will be announced ahead of the Champions League draw.
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