Antoine Griezmann is without a doubt the key man for France in Sunday’s Euro final versus Portugal.
After a missed penalty against Real Madrid in the Champions League final, it would be thought Griezmann would shy away from discussing football. That’s the beauty of football; getting another opportunity for redemption. Griezmann wasted no time pouncing on the chance to show people he is one of the finest talents in the world.
The Atleti forward left the pitch with a standing ovation on Thursday evening in Marseille. This was France’s first win against Germany in an international tournament since 1958, thanks to a pair of goals contributed by the 25-year-old.
Antoine Griezmann has now scored 6 goals for France at the European Championship finals, per OptaJoe, which is equivalent to Thierry Henry. GOAT. He has scored twice as many as any other player at Euro 2016. Other than his fellow countryman Michel Platini, who scored an astonishing nine goals in 1984, Griezmann is the only player to score more than five goals at a Euro Tournament.
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Standing at 5’7″ tall, Griezmann was rejected by tons of French scouts. AS Saint-Etienne, Lyon and Auxerre all passed on him. He then opted to go to Spain at the age of 13 to join Real Sociedad, after they saw potential dozens of French scouts failed to notice.
Griezmann has been leading his country, along with being France’s driving force since Didier Deschamps dropped him in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Albania. When the referee called a penalty on the Germans, everyone was looking to see who would step up. Griezmann took the penalty showing he’s ready to carry his team and willing to take on responsibility.
“I missed my penalty in the Champions League final and I really wanted to take a penalty in another important match,” said Griezmann via BBC.com. “I’m pleased to have taken that decision, and to have scored.”
Griezmann commenced the Euro 2016 as if he was still recovering from “that” missed penalty. He was substituted against Romania in France’s opening match after the hour mark, it seemed as if he lacked confidence.
The Euro leading scorer was then benched for the like of Anthony Martial, before coming on as substitute to score France’s second goal in injury time. Had the Manchester United star made the most of his opportunity, Griezmann would be going through the worst summer as a professional footballer.
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Scoring five goals in three knockout games (two versus Germany and the Republic of Ireland and one against Iceland) means the baby-faced Griezmann is on his way to being the tournament most outstanding player. A hat trick on Sunday versus Portugal would not only draw him level with Platini’s Euro Championships goal record; but would ensure he gets the best player and golden boot award.
The question on everyone’s mind is, if Paul Pogba is worth £100 million, then what’s Griezmann’s price? Atletico wasted no time signing their star to a new contract before the tournament started.
If he can replicate what he’s been doing on Sunday against Portugal, he’ll be worth much more.