World Cup winner claims he is on the same level as Messi and Cristiano

Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmnn has claimed that he is on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and has sounded confident about winning the 2018 Ballon d'Or.

The French international, who won the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super Cup with his club Atletico Madrid and played an instrumental role in France winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup, was left out of the three-man shortlist for FIFA's The Best award, for which the winner will be announced on September 24.

But, he is feeling confident of his chances of Ballon d'Or, the award which he claims is more prestigious than FIFA's The Best award as the winner of the Ballon d'Or is decided by votes from journalists.

He also admitted that he can still improve his game before adding that he is completely a different player from the likes of Messi, Neymar, Cristiano, Kylian Mbappe etc. as he is not someone who will be scoring 50 goals every season but aims to contribute and work for his team in the attack.

'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,' Griezmann told AS.

Griezmann has been having a fantastic 2018 so far as he has not only scored goals but has also won trophies with both his club and country. It is unfortunate that he didn't make it to the FIFA The Best award but he is surely one of the contenders to win the 2018 Ballon d'Or later this year.