Runner-up at the Euros, top scorer in the tournament, player of the tournament and third in the race for the Ballon d’Or – 2016 has really been a breakout year for Antoine Griezmann. Arguably the best player in the world, or at least the crown prince to the title, with age looming over Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the diminutive Frenchman has impressed with his ability on the ball.
Also read: 5 reasons why we love Antoine Griezmann
Currently at Atletico Madrid, rumours are gathering pace that he’s set for a big money move in the summer with Manchester United ready to break their own record fee which they paid to bring close pal Paul Pogba to Old Trafford.
Here we take a look at five strikes that show just why he’s in such high demand:
#5 Backheel flick for France vs Jamaica
Back in 2014, making only his third ever appearance for the French senior national team, Griezmann came on as a substitute for Olivier Giroud with France leading 6–0 in their final World Cup warm-up game against Jamaica. There were less than twenty minutes left on the clock, but they would be more than sufficient for Griezmann to add two goals of his own – the latter being this nonchalant backheel flick that shows exactly how to make the most of a tight situation – and give the scoreline an emphatic look.
For someone who scores most of his goals from long range screamers, Griezmann displayed some finesse as well, earning himself a starting berth in the group stages of the tournament.
#4 Bicycle kick for Atletico Madrid vs Deportivo La Coruna
Having managed to beat the offside trap thanks to a defender returning late on the far side, Griezmann was still left with the challenge of making something of a ball over the top with his back to goal. In truly sensational fashion, he leapt up from his standing position to make contact with the ball on-the-bounce and generated enough power from his overhead bicycle kick to send it flying past the stunned goalkeeper.
While it would be little consolation to him, Deportivo’s Fabricio Agosto can take solace from the fact that even the best ‘keepers in the world could have done little to stop such a stroke of genius.
#3 Free kick for France vs Netherlands
In a friendly fixture between Netherlands and France in March 2016 in memory of Johan Cruyff, who lost his battle with lung cancer, Griezmann curled this stunning free kick into the side netting of Jasper Cillessen’s goal in what was a perfect tribute to the beautiful football the legendary Dutchman epitomised.
While goals from Giroud and Blaise Matuidi would see France run out winners, this would be the foundation on which Griezmann would have a sensational Euro 2016. The 25-year-old ended up with the tournament’s second highest ever tally of six goals in addition to two assists.
#2 Aerial control and volley for Real Sociedad vs Real Valladolid
With Real Sociedad in brilliant form and looking to move to third in the La Liga table, Griezmann used his pace to beat his marker, pluck this over-the-top ball from David Zurutuza out of the air, knock it forward with his head and volley it into the net all in one swift motion without letting the ball touch the ground.
This is a miraculous goal that only comes around once or twice in a career, and deserves to be watched over and over again in admiration of the technical ability that Griezmann’s gifted with.
#1 Bicycle kick for Real Sociedad vs Olympique Lyon
Let’s face it, bicycle kicks that land up in the back of the net are spectacular. When they come from as far out as the edge of the box in a Champions League qualification play-off against a team like Olympique Lyon, they become that much more spectacular.
Perfectly weighing up a cross from Carlos Vela – with whom he formed a terrific partnership at Sociedad – Griezmann despatches his bicycle kick low into the corner of Anthony Lopes’ net to send his side through to the group stages of the Champions League. A goal certainly more than deserving of such a reward.
