Atletico Madrid forward, Antoine Griezmann spoke of his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, while also recollecting the days when Ronaldo and him used to be neighbours.
French forward Griezmann has faced the Portuguese talisman quite a few times, both with their clubs and respective national teams as well. The pair were arguably the best players in 2016, having put in scintillating performances for both club and country. Now, Griezmann has come forward saying that Ronaldo and himself did live in the same area, and have remained friends for a long time.
“Ronaldo used to be my neighbour and he passed my house every day,” said Griezmann as he spoke to L'Equipe. “We always greeted each other. But I moved house last year. I do not live far away now, but you do not meet as regularly. But we did meet this summer in Miami. I was on holiday with my partner and we met Cristiano in a restaurant. It was a huge coincidence. I went up to him to congratulate him for Portugal's Euro 2016 win and Madrid's Champions League victory,” he added.
Also read: I will not join Real Madrid, says a defiant Antoine Griezmann
Cristiano Ronaldo made sure that Griezmann failed to taste success in two different competitions. First during the Champions League final, as Real met Atletico for the second time in three years and second when Portugal overcame France on their home turf during the European Championships.
To rub salt into Griezmann's already open wounds, the Portuguese phenomenon netted a hat-trick in the Madrid derby, making sure that Real Madrid stayed on top of the league. The Frenchman has had a tough time in pretty much every altercation against the Madrid star.
“I joked that I hated him because I was still suffering after the Euro 2016 final. But I obviously do not feel differently about him because he beat me in two major finals and scored a hat-trick at the weekend. I have a lot of respect for him,” Griezmann continued.
“If I was still a young kid, I would probably be a fan of him, just like I would be a fan of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Paul Pogba,” the Frenchman concluded.
Atletico Madrid now face Guijuelo in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey. They play that game keeping in mind that on the 7th of December, they will be facing Bayern Munich in their final Champions League group stage fixture.
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