Listening helped Griezmann inch closer to Messi & Ronaldo

Atletico manager Diego Simeone has high praise for the team's inform striker Antoine Griezmann (right). He feels the Frenchman is the world's third best player after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. The 25-year-old Griezmann initially struggled to make his mark at Atletico after arriving from Real Sociedad, but scored 32 goals in 53 appearances for the Spanish giants during the 2015-16 campaign.

Seven of those goals were scored in Champions League games.

“It's through hard work, great effort and listening. The key to life is listening, and he's done that. He suffered and improved, and today he's among the three best players in the world,“ Simeone said.

Griezmann is motivated for the final, promising he and his teammates will “run their socks off“ in the game.


Image: AFP

“We'll remain focused every second of every minute, and give second of every minute, and give our all like always,“ he said. “We'll run our socks off, look to win the ball back by pressing high, and try to get the first goal. We'll have to be strong both mentally and physically.“


Image: AFP

“It'd be a dream come true, and I hope I get the chance to lift the trophy. I know it will take a lot of hard work and effort, but we are ready and willing, and we'll do everything we can to win it.“.