Atletico Madrid starAntoine Griezmann has revealed his choices for the three best footballers of the calendar year.
Speaking toGoal, the Euro 2016 top scorer namedLeicester City's Jamie Vardy amonghis choices for the stand out performersof 2016.
The 25-year-old disclosed thathe considers the Foxes' forward to be one of the most consistent players of the past 12 months, before stating that Vardy would be his third choice for best footballer of the year, justbehind superstar duo Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Vardy bagged 24 goals for Leicester in 2015/16 as he fired Claudio Ranieri's men to a seemingly impossible Premier League triumph and, all too aware of the difficulties of winning one of Europe's top leagues, Griezmann admitted that Vardy had to be ranked alongside the bestfor his form last term.
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." Griezmann stated.
After flirting with United fans this week, Paddy makes Griezmann favourite to go to Old Trafford next: https://t.co/vSk5roCple
The former Real Sociedad forward also revealed his ambition to reach the same heights as his first two choices.
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.�
In addition to which players he considered as the top three in the world, Griezmann was quizzed on which managers he would choose as potential candidates for manager of the year - including Leicester's Ranieri.
Both France international head coach Didier Deschamps and Griezmann's club boss Diego Simeone lost out in the Euro 2016 and Champions League finals to Portugal and Real Madrid respectively, but he said he believed that the pair were deserving of a vote after the way they had brought his game on.
He continued: 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.�
Ronaldo best player in the world, but I want to be No.1 in two years - Griezmann https://t.co/EbqUiXURc6
In a candid interview, the France international also divulged which of his compatriots he would love to play alongside one day at Atletico and, unsurprisingly, Griezmann chose two of Les Bleus' best young talents.
"Alexandre Lacazette or Paul Pogba. I love how Alexandre plays and he's a really good guy. The same for Paul “ he's a great player and a good mate. I hope to play with one of the two one day."
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