World Cup over Ballon d´Or for disappointed Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann expressed his disappointment but put the World Cup ahead of the Ballon d’Or after the Atletico Madrid and France star missed out on the coveted individual award to Luka Modric.

Griezmann helped France to 2018 World Cup glory in Russia, while he also enjoyed a triumphant Europa League campaign with Atletico but the 27-year-old finished third behind Modric on Monday.

Real Madrid midfielder and Croatia captain Modric ended Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s decade-long dominance in Paris.

Griezmann has spoken openly about his Ballon d’Or ambitions and reflecting post-ceremony, the forward told reporters: “I am very happy with my year 2018.

“I won the Europa League, I won the Super Cup and the World Cup so it’s a great year. A little disappointed [to miss out on the Ballon d’Or] but it was a big night to celebrate the winners so I had to be there.”

 @AntoGriezmann makes 2018 #ballondor podium, while @LucasHernandez and Thomas Lemar were honoured during the France Football gala.
 https://t.co/U9ZeHxkGYT
  https://t.co/Z5dZ7WdOYL#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/BsS11tTgYu

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 3, 2018

When asked if he will ever claim the Ballon d’Or, Griezmann responded: “I think if I keep working the way I am, why not?

“But I’m on the right track, I’ve claimed two podiums so we have to keep going like this.”

Pressed on choosing between the Ballon d’Or and World Cup, Griezmann said: “The World Cup!”

Modric became the first Croatian to win the Ballon d’Or after helping Croatia reach the World Cup final and Madrid secure a third successive Champions League trophy.

“It’s earned,” Griezmann added. “He had a great season. He won the Champions League.”