Atletico Madrid Heartbreak will see striker return with bit between his teeth

Having been beaten in two major finals so far in 2016, Antoine Griezmann has revealed which defeat hurt him the most.

The Atletico Madrid forward missed a penalty in the Champions League final as his side were narrowly beaten by Real Madrid on penalties before further heartbreak came his way in July when he lost the Euro 2016 showpiece against Portugal.

In discussion with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Griezmann also refuses to give up hope of winning the Ballon d'Or this year, despite acknowledging that he has a battle on his hands against Cristiano Ronaldo.

Of the two finals you've lost recently, which one hurt the most?

"I want to begin by saying that it was a very good year for me both personally and as part of the team, despite losing in two finals. I'm sure that both me and my teams will come back even stronger. That said, the most painful defeat was the one in the Champions League. It was a big blow because it came on penalties and getting to the final had been a long road. We had been trying since September... but we will return."

Atletico came close in two Champions League finals in three years against Real. How do you return?

"We have to try again. In training, I see a great desire to put things right. The past is the past and now all we have is a desire to try again. With a coach like [Diego] Simeone it is easier as it makes it an even bigger motivator for him. I'm sure he will take us to victory."

How is Cholo?

"Good, as always. He has a great desire to teach and pass on what he believes in. He always has a big smile and is always joking, characteristics that the press might not take note of but that it is as important as the desire to win."

Did offers come in for you over the summer?

"I have always been clear with my agents: I have no intention of leaving Atletico, Cholo or my teammates. Yes, people came calling but I never listened. I really want and hope to win something with Atletico."

Money isn't everything obviously.

"Exactly. I want to improve and I know I can do that he with Simeone. This is the place to continue developing and remain among the best. Cholo has a key role in all of this. I'm happy here with him and every day I learn something."

You aren't afraid of leaving though?

"In football you never know, things can change quickly but I don't think about that. All I'm thinking about is having a great season."

Have you spoken with [Paul] Pogba much these days?

"Yes, I often speak with him as we are great friends. It is a shame for Juventus because they lost a great player but I'm happy for Paul."

It is a strange world, they let him go for free and now bought him back for 105 million euros.

"Football is like that but it is also one of the reasons people love it so much. Things can change quickly but what is certain is that Paul has made massive leaps as a player in recent years."

And the transfer record was broken with the deal too.

"That's the modern game. You spend money that would have seemed impossible and unthinkable until recently. About 15 years ago, Madrid paid 70 million euros for Zidane when he was the best in the world and now the market seems crazy."

Do you think Juventus have done well to get that kind of money or should they never sell a player like Pogba?

"I don't know. What I do know is that they have made a lot of money. On the one hand, I think they've done well but on the other I don't. We should ask the fans and players of Juve."

This year, you made it into the top three of UEFA's best players and you are in the running for the Ballon d'Or. Do you think it is still open or has it been won by Cristiano Ronaldo?

"It is still open. I gave everything and still hope to win. Now it is just a matter of time and we have to wait and see what the judges think. I couldn't have done any more."

Who do you think are the favourites for the Champions League?

"Hopefully Atletico! We have great confidence in ourselves that we can repeat what we did last year but win the final this time. Then there are teams like Bayern, Barca and Madrid who are almost certain to get to the semi-final."

All eyes are on the Premier League. Who'll win?

"Last year nobody could have imagined that Leicester would win it but this time, I see it being a fight between City, United and Chelsea under Antonio Conte."

And in La Liga?

"Like last year, we will be fighting with Barca and Madrid for the title. Like the Champions League, we want to make it a different ending this time."

Madrid brought [Alvaro] Morata back but didn't make any Galacticos signings. Does that surprise you?

"The market isn't closed yet and it only takes a few days for madness or large transfers to happen. Madrid's squad is already very good so they don't need to buy many players."