Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone believes Antoine Griezmann is firmly in the race to win the 2016 Ballon d’Or next year.
The 25-year-old Atletico Madrid star was left heartbroken for the second time in just two months recently, after Portugal stunned France in Paris and won the Euro 2016 final 1-0.
Griezmann had only just gotten over Atletico Madrid’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid in June and it was certainly no easier tasting defeat on home soil three weeks ago
However, when all was said and done, the former Real Sociedad forward can look back on a memorable 2015/16 season personally for him.
“I have no doubt he is among the top 3 players to win the Ballon d’Or,” said Simeone during a press conference on Thursday,
“He scored many decisive goals and still has potential.”
Griezmann netted six goals in seven European Championship games – winning the Golden Boot as a result – after scoring 22 times in La Liga last season for his club.
While the forward is not deemed the favourite for the 2016 Ballon d’Or – Cristiano Ronaldo got his hands on both the Champions League and European Championship ahead of the forward – Simeone is still backing his man, after speaking at a press conference on Thursday.
Atletico Madrid face Tottenham Hotspur, who lost 2-1 to Juventus in their opening pre-season friendly, in the International Champions Cup on Friday in Melbourne, although Griezmann will not be involved in that.
The Frenchman is expected to return to Spain to link-up with the club in the first week of August or so, after his commitments with his country this summer.