Griezmann Is Not World Class After 'One Good Season' — Ribery

Franck Ribery has questioned whether Antoine Griezmann should be considered world-class after only 'one good season', arguing he has performed at the top for a decade.


Griezmann was France's poster boy as the hosts reached the Euro 2016 final before losing to Portugal, while he also starred for Atletico Madrid on their way to the Champions League final.

Ribery concedes his countryman impressed last season, but insists it is too soon to label him among Europe's elite - a fraternity he firmly believes he is part of.

GRIEZMANN LEAGUE 2015/16 

Appearances: 38

Goals scored: 22

Shot accuracy: 57 per cent

Chances created: 52

Pass accuracy: 78 per cent

Duels won: 40 per cent

Yellow/red cards: 5/0

'Yes, last season he played well, but you should only be considered world-class when you consistently deliver these performances,' Ribery told Sport Bild.

'We are too quick to say after one good season, ''This player is outstanding, he must win the Ballon d'Or.''

'I don't agree with this. Quality means, for me, churning out top performances over a period of 10, 12 or 15 years. Then, I say well played too.'

'OK, I was injured for nine months last year, but other than that I was almost always at the top of my game over the past decade,' he said.

Griezmann was diplomatic in his response to Ribery's comments, telling Eurosport: 'I will continue working. As he says, we'll see at the end what kind of player I am, but I know I'm on the right track.

'Everyone has an opinion. To my father, for example, I'm the best player in the world. To the fans of Atletico, too.'

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo backed Griezmann, while playing down if there was a rift between the players.

'Ribery is a little older,' Cerezo said. 'We must forgive him because he was a great player.'