And this time the Atletico Madrid frontman definitely needs to be taken into consideration.
Antoine Griezmann scored a brace as France clawed back from going a goal down against Germany to singlehandedly give the World Champions three points and keep them at the top of the Nations League Group A1.
Germany took a first-half lead through Toni Kroos who hit it home from the penalty spot but Die Mannschaft were dealt a Griezmann double which now puts them in Group B relegation struggle.
The 27-year-old striker leveled the score with a brilliant header in 62nd minute as he powered a Lucas Hernandez cross with so much instinct and elegance. Griezmann later on added to his tally, converting from the penalty spot to wrap yet another impressive display which added fuel to Germany fire.
Griezmann the Man
If there’s one player whose stock has gone through a steady rise over the past twelve months, Antoine Griezmann definitely is our man.
The Frenchman grabbed a firm hold of the opportunity to launch his career forward and push his already-glowing reputation up a notch. Griezmann has been in sensational run of form both for the club and country, putting in a series of scintillating performances, scoring plenty of goals and winning important trophies.
The silverware did not help him win prestigious accolades, however, despite the fact Atletico Madrid was in the running for the FIFA Best Awards and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year before that.
The Frenchman was left disappointed and frustrated to be left out and went on to declare himself as a worthy candidate to win the Ballon d’Or. Griezmann would relish the opportunity to become the first Atletico Madrid to win the esteemed award and he was not shy to express his fixation.
“To win the Ballon d’Or at Atletico Madrid would allow me to go down in the club’s history. Being a historic player for this club would be a dream and make me proud. That’s what I want, what I’m looking for,” Griezmann told Marca.
The Ballon d’Or shortlist has already been announced and Antoine Griezmann is one of 30 stars to be vying for the coveted prize as seen in our Instagram post.
The 27-year-old is hoping to end the decade-long duopoly of Cristiano Ronaldo and Liones Messi but it is Real Madrid midfield maestro Luka Modric who is among the favourites to land this year’s prize with 2/5 stacked in his favour. Cristiano Ronaldo is next with 11/2 which is the same odds Griezmann is given.
The Croatia international already picked up both of individual prizes and could complete a hat-trick. Antoine Griezmann’s impressive display against Germany could, however, act as a reminder that everything he’s done over the past 12 months is definitely enough to at least put him on par with Real Madrid star.
Does Griezmann Deserve Ballon d’Or?
If we were to have a look at the numbers, the answer to this question above writes itself.
The Atletico Madrid attacker bagged an impressive 19 assists and 9 assists in 32 La Liga appearances last season. The number stands at 29 goals and 15 assists across all competitions, including the UEFA Europa League Atletico Madrid ended up winning in impressive fashion.
The Frenchman was voted the Player of the Tournament which was the introductory accolade ahead of a highly successful summer.
Without a doubt one of the top performers in France’s World Cup winning route, Antoine Griezmann netted 4 and assisted further 2 goals in Russia.
With three team prizes in his pocket – UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Cup – the Frenchman perhaps even has got a trump card over Luka Modric in the Ballon d’Or race.
Can he pip the Croat to the covered prize, though?
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