Franck Ribery surprised some fanswith his recent statement that Antoine Griezmann is not in the top bracket of world football yet, despite the Frenchman's golden boot at the Euros in the summer and his six goals in his last six La Liga games.
The Atletico wonderkid has been one of the most talked-about men in the global game over the last few months, and is currently pushing his club towards domestic and Champions League success. However, Ribery feels that some are being too quick to put the 'world-class label' on the new sensation.
Antoine Griezmann has been awarded the LaLiga Player of the Month award for September.
Well deserved � pic.twitter.com/GxOSEkBNCA
"Yes, last season he played well, but you should only be considered world-class when you consistently deliver these performances," Griezmann'sfellow French international opined to Sport Bild.
"We are too quick to say after one good season, 'This player is outstanding, he must win the Ballon d'Or.'"
"I don't agree with this. Quality means, for me, churning out top performances over a period of 10, 12 or 15 years. Then, I say well played too."
Some might detect a hint of jealousy and chest-thumping about Ribery's next remark.
"OK, I was injured for nine months last year, but other than that I was almost always at the top of my game over the past decade."
Antoine Griezmann doesn't care what Franck Ribery thinks about him. pic.twitter.com/VczXWuJKBO
Griezmann has since responded to Ribery's claims in a cool and collected manner, showing that he is not being tainted by the spotlight which the latter feels is being quickly thrust upon him.
"I will continue working. As he says, we'll see at the end what kind of player I am, but I know I'm on the right track." he responded toEurosport.
"Everyone has an opinion. To my father, for example, I'm the best player in the world. To the fans of Atletico, too."