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Lionel Messi: 'Barcelona need Antoine Griezmann for Champions League'

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi admits that signing Antoine Griezmann from rivals Atletico Madrid this summer would be a "brilliant" coup for his side.

Lionel Messi has reiterated his desire for Barcelona to spend big to land Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann, insisting that his side's Champions League hopes may depend on it.

The Catalan giants are reportedly awaiting a decision from the France international as to whether he wants to join, having also been offered an improved contract by Atleti.

Barca already have Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Messi in their forward line, but the latter believes that additional firepower could be required if his side are to end their recent dry spell on the continental stage.

"I am in agreement that to win the Champions League again we need to have the best players - Griezmann is one of them," he told Sport. "If the club sign him, brilliant. I don't know if he's the priority. That depends on the signing committee and the coach.

"I can only say that to win the Champions League you have to have the best players. And he is very good."

Barcelona have failed to progress beyond the quarter-final stage in three seasons since last lifting the Champions League, being knocked out by Atletico, Juventus and most recently Roma.

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Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring the 2018 Europa League final on May 16, 2018
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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