The Atletico superstar finished third in the Goal 50 behind winner Ronaldo and second placed Luis Suarez, but has set himself the target of being the finest on the planet by 2018

EXCLUSIVE

Antoine Griezmann says that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world – but the Frenchman is targeting top spot in the next two years.

The Atletico Madrid star enjoyed a stellar year with club and country, leading him to finish third in the 2016 Goal 50 behind winner Ronaldo and second placed Luis Suarez.

Messi, Ronaldo, Suarez? Click here to see the countdown of the 50 best players in the world in the 2016 Goal 50

“It’s good to be as high in the rankings as third,” Griezmann told Goal. “I hope to be second next year and first in two years.

“I’m very happy both on and off the field. I am equally happy to receive this prize after being named the Best Player in La Liga last season. This tells me that I’ve had a good season and I’m on the right track. Now I must keep working.”

The 25-year-old admitted that Ronaldo was a worthy victor and that he would have voted for him as his best player of 2016.

Asked for his top three stars of the year, Griezmann replied: “Cristiano Ronaldo first, as he’s won two titles, then Lionel Messi because he’s unique and after that maybe Jamie Vardy for winning the English title with Leicester.

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“Ronaldo and Messi are two monsters, two legends. In 10 years, the world will say that no-one will ever be able to equal them. I’m going to try and get as close as possible and to continue to raise my level each year to become the best player possible.”

Griezmann scored 32 goals in 54 games last term for Atleti and established himself as France’s star man, yet he suffered the disappointment of stumbling at the final hurdle in both the Champions League and Euro 2016. He has admitted that it has not been easy to get over two such demoralising defeats.

“After the final of the Euros, I had a difficult week thinking about the final of the Champions League and the European Championship. It was hard to sleep but eventually we got used to it and we’ll try to win a trophy [this season] to forget about it,” he said.

“[With Atletico] we’ll do everything we can to make sure it happens. It will be difficult, like the last season, but we’re going to try. With France we’re attempting to qualify for World Cup 2018 so we can do something great in Russia.”

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Meanwhile, Griezmann has said his two coaches have been instrumental in his excellent form. Asked for his top managers of 2016, he said: “My two coaches: Diego Simeone and Didier Deschamps. After them, Claudio Ranieri for his work at Leicester.

“Leicester’s title was unexpected, especially against teams like Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. It’s something incredible that they won the championship.”

Griezmann is aware of the pressure the Foxes were under, having regularly been in that position with Atleti.

“There’s a pressure there each weekend and you can’t make a mistake because the other teams are going to the maximum,” he commented.

This kind of pressure was also on Les Bleus during the summer, when the side received heavy criticism from an expectant domestic press. Such was the scrutiny at the time that the forward demanded more support from the French media.

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“I said this with regards to [the criticism of] Paul Pogba and myself during Euro 2016,” he explained. “Even if we say that negative press doesn’t affect us, a story can change our mood. I asked for a little support and there has been an improvement. That’s not to say it’s all good.

“For us on the field, it helps us to read good articles. It’s a win-win, I think. We must continue to work and produce beautiful football for everyone.

“It’s not really important to be recognised, but more to have support. It can only help us when we arrive at stadiums and fans are shouting our names. That’s the best and that can help us most.”

Griezmann’s standards have not dropped this season as he has scored eight times in 14 games for Atleti, who are once again challenging at the summit of La Liga.