Atletico Madrid talisman, Antoine Griezmann has revealed he is a different type player compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in a recent interview.
The World Cup winner also shared his grievances about not being shortlisted as the three finalist for FIFA The Best awards.
Here is the interview in full..
A new season has just started and it feels like a great moment in your career after winning the Europa League with Atleti and capping it off with the World Cup win in Russia?
Yes, it's true and it's fair to say I'm enjoying football at present at both club level and international level with great team-mates and managers. I feel privileged and hope that this carries on.
Did you ever imagine when you left France for San Sebastián some thirteen years ago that this would be the path your career would take?
My dream was always to win titles. The World Cup was always a boyhood dream and that was accentuated watching the team of 98 lift the trophy. When one arrives at a new club the desire is to win titles and when I arrived at Atlético my hope was the same and last season we secured the Europa League and just recently the UEFA Super Cup.
There has been some recent controversy in the past weeks given that you were not shortlisted for 'The Best' award with may people claiming that this is an injustice. How has this been for you?
There is nothing to be done, this is a FIFA award and it's a shame that no World Cup winner has been shortlisted. Our World Cup run was excellent and the likes of Mbappé, Varane, Kanté or even myself deserve to be recognised for the performances in Russia...However, that's how it is. I believe that the Ballon d'Or is more prestigious and has more cache, that's my view and I realise I have three months ahead to give my all and then we'll just have to wait and see what happens.
But did it surprise you not to be on "The Best" nomination list this year?
As I said, I'm not on the shortlist but no French players are. We had an excellent tournament in Russia and what else can I say. There is no looking back and one has to look ahead.
You're a World Cup winner with France, have lifted both the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup trophy with Atlético, a big contrast to this time last year when things were different....
I was pretty low. I don't know why but everything appeared bleak. I felt other people were to blame and didn't feel good. When I don't feel right off the pitch than that can impact on my play on the field. Thankfully, with the assistance of Cholo, my team-mates and especially Godín who I hang-out with a great deal and my wife...we managed to turn things around. Diego Costa's arrival also helped my playing and there was a dramatic improvement from January onward.
The Diego Costa-Griezmann tandem is a dream attacking line for the bulk of Atlético fans...
It's true and I still need to improve on following his off the ball movement. Still, I have no issues in us both getting on the score-sheet.
Some observers now deem that you are the best player in the world. How do you see that?
There are different ways to sees the game of football and it has to be said that I'm a different type of player compared to say Cristiano, Messi, Neymar or Mbappé. I'm performing well but still have room to improve and want to work on areas of my game. I'm never going to be a 50 goals per season type player but I still strive to be a sharper forward and want to help the team more too.
Do you agree when I say it's not normal to see a player of your stature to make such a sacrifice for the rest of the team...
Yes, but when the rest of your team-mates do it....that's the way Cholo has constructed this side. Everyone helps out and that's the ethos of the side. There may be a case when one is particularly tired and you may not have the legs to help out the defensive line but you will help out the midfield. Our fitness coach "Profe" Ortega has has us well drilled physically to have the stamina to assist in other areas of the pitch.
You've said in the past that you would like to sit at the "top table" alongside the likes of Messi and Cristiano. do you feel you now sit there?
Yes, I believe so. I know other players are emerging and I am conscious that I can improve my game too. This is a driving force for me, improve, win more and keep winning by playing in the manner we play.
In the time we've been talking, you continually claim that you need to improve. How do you feel you can improve? What are these margins of improvement?
By reading the game better, especially in an attacking dynamic. Improve my passing game. I know I can score more goals and be a better passer of the ball and help out more in defensive duties. It's a desire to improve and a thirst to work harder in order that drives me on.
Free best soccer prediction site 2018 Stakegains...
