Sergio Ramos slams ‘ignorant’ Griezmann

Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann recently made a rather startling statement, claiming he is at par with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Now, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, a former teammate of Ronaldo, has slammed the Frenchman for his comments, labelling him ‘ignorant’ and ‘lacking respect’.

Griezmann, when asked about the possibility of winning the 2018 Ballon d’Or, had said, 'I think the Ballon d'Or has more prestige and history. There's three months left to give everything. It is clear that I am a different player than Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar or [Kylian] Mbappe. I'm at the top but I can improve. I seek to be as complete as possible.

'I'm not going to score 50 goals, but I'm looking to help offensively and work for the team. I think I already sit where Messi and Cristiano are. And I know other players are going to come for sure. I want to improve, I want to win and I want to continue like this, playing in this way,' he had gone on to add.

These words did not sit well with Ramos, who took aim at the World Cup winner, although he did concede that the Frenchman is still a great player.

 “Ignorance is always bold,” Ramos fired back, before adding, “when I hear this kid talking I think about Totti, Buffon, Iker Casillas, Raul, Andres Iniesta and Xavi who have homes full of trophies but never won a Ballon D'Or.”

“He ought to let Cholo [Simeone] or [Diego] Godin or Koke advise him. These are people that have certain values that would do him good. But I have never held back in saying that he is a great player.”

Ramos, who has been a part of the Madrid side that lifted four out of the last five Champions League titles, feels his side are more than capable of going all the way again, and relishes the prospect of possibly winning the competition at the home of Griezmann’s club, Wanda Metropolitano.

Madrid begin their Champions League campaign against Roma tomorrow before squaring off against CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen.