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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
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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