Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone backs Antoine Griezmann for Ballon d'Or

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 28 July 2016

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann "should be in the final three" for the 2016 Ballon d'Or, according to his club boss Diego Simeone.

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has "no doubt" that Antoine Griezmann "should be in the final three" when the finalists for the 2016 Ballon d'Or are announced.

Griezmann netted 32 times for Atletico last season as the capital outfit launched a strong La Liga challenge and also made the final of the Champions League, where they were again beaten by Real Madrid.

The attacker also scored six times at Euro 2016 to help France reach the final, but could not prevent his nation from losing 1-0 to Portugal in the conclusion of the tournament.

Despite the disappointment of losing two finals, Simeone has insisted that the 25-year-old is fully deserving of recognition as one of the world's best players.

"I've no doubt he should be in the final three. He's one of the three best players in Europe and a candidate for the Ballon d'Or. He didn't win any titles, but he scored goals and was always decisive. Hopefully he will have the chance to win the Ballon d'Or," Simeone told reporters.

Lionel Messi beat Cristiano Ronaldo to the 2015 award, with Neymar finishing in third position.