Best Player in Europe final three: Antoine Griezmann
Friday, August 5, 2016
Article summary
Antoine Griezmann, one of the three nominees for the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award, top-scored at UEFA EURO 2016 but suffered disappointment in club and national team finals last term.
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A season that promised so much for club and country ultimately went unrewarded for Antoine Griezmann. There were seven UEFA Champions League goals as Atlético got to a second final in three years – but just as in 2014, neighbours Real Madrid pipped them in the decider, Griezmann missing a second-half penalty in Milan.
The striker was then Player of the Tournament and won the adidas Golden Boot at UEFA EURO 2016, scoring six goals including two against both the Republic of Ireland and, in the semi-finals, Germany. Once again, though, there was a final loss, hosts France coming up short against Portugal.
Honours: none
Domestic league
Appearances: 38
Goals: 22
Assists: 5
UEFA Champions League
Appearances: 13
Goals: 7
Assists: 1
UEFA EURO 2016
Appearances: 7
Goals: 6
Assists: 2
Joe Walker, UEFA.com's Atlético reporter for 2015/16
My Griezmann highlights
- His superb effort at the Santiago Bernabéu, combining brilliantly with Filipe Luís, consigned Zinédine Zidane to his first defeat as Real Madrid coach and helped maintain Atlético's wonderful recent record in (domestic) derbies.
- His UEFA Champions League knockout stage displays. If two goals at the Vicente Calderón to oust holders Barcelona in the quarter-finals were not enough, he raced clear to beat Manuel Neuer, eliminate Bayern München and seal Atlético's place in the Milan final.
- The way he lit up UEFA EURO 2016. France needed a hero and Griezmann was the country's talisman on home soil. We saw his famous 'hotline bling' celebration six times during the tournament, including twice in the semi-finals as France overcame their bête noire Germany.
Why he should win it
Griezmann was Atlético's top marksman for the second season running, hitting 32 goals in all competitions. Without him, Diego Simeone's side would not have made it to their second UEFA Champions League final and the same can be said for France at UEFA EURO 2016. Griezmann's six strikes meant he took home the adidas Golden Boot and was crowned player of the tournament.
