Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has claimed that Antoine Griezmann is now "among the three best players in the world".

The 25-year-old initially struggled to make his mark at Atletico after arriving from Real Sociedad, but has already hit 32 goals in 53 appearances for the Spanish giants during the 2015-16 campaign.

Simeone has credited the French international for his "hard work, great effort and listening" and now places the attacker alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the top of the professional game.

"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 told reporters.

Seven of Griezmann's 32 goals this season have come in the Champions League. Next weekend, Atletico will face rivals Real Madrid for the European Cup in Milan.