Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has claimed that Antoine Griezmann is still among the top three players in world football, backing the striker to return to his best form in time for next weekend's showdown with Real Madrid.
Griezmann has failed to hit the heights of previous campaigns so far this term, scoring three goals in 13 appearances for Los Rojiblancos and none in his last six.
The 26-year-old was in impressive form for national side France on Friday night, however, proving a real livewire in attack and being rewarded with the opening goal in a 2-0 win against Wales at the Stade de France.
Cerezo has no doubt that Griezmann will also play a pivotal part in the Madrid derby in seven days' time, telling Marca: "He hasn't had much luck at the start of this season. He had a fantastic end to the previous season and he is still considered one of the best three players in the world.
"The advantage is that he is younger and has more of a future than the other two. Everybody has their moments. It may be the case that he's not going through the best one right now, but I am convinced that it won't take long for him to be what we all want him to be once again, the Griezmann that he is.
"After all he has shown, there's no reason to doubt him or lose confidence in him because of playing five matches not so well. He will be the same old Griezmann against Real Madrid, one which is feared by defences and loved by Atletico fans. We have put in a lot of effort to keep him and to keep all the players. The problem Griezmann has had is that a series of news stories about other important European clubs wanting him has not benefited him.
"Griezmann is and will be an Atletico player. He is an important player and at an important club and he wants to win titles with Atletico. He may have had a start to the season which could have been better, but there is a lot left of the La Liga season for him to show how important he is for the club and how important football is for him."
Griezmann is expected to play a part for France in their second friendly of the international break against Germany on Tuesday night.
Daniel Lewis
