For the third time in the space of only two years, Antoine Griezmann found himself on the losing side against Cristiano Ronaldo in a grand final. First, he lost the 2014 UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. History repeated itself back in May with Ronaldo netting the winning spot-kick after the game went on penalties.
Last Sunday in the UEFA Euro 2016 final, France's number 7 talisman displayed several moments of brilliance including two headers which almost resulted into goals. However, luck was not on the side of the hosts who got stunned by unlikely goal hero Eder in extra-time.
Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann still beat Ronaldo as well as all the tournament's other players to win both the UEFA Euro 2016 Golden Ball award and the Golden Boot thanks to his six goals. Still, he doesn't believe that he will be on the podium lifting the Ballon d'Or award come January, next year. He foresees a fourth triumph for 31-year-old Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
"No, my mind was only set on winning the title," Griezmann revealed as he set his priorities straight for the crucial match at the Stade de France.
"I am not obsessed with the Ballon d'Or. It will come if it has to come."
Griezmann looking at his runner-up medal with a lot of sadness
He added:
"Am I still in with a chance of winning? Cristiano Ronaldo won the biggest competitions. I believe that, that's it. It's done."
The tournament's topscorer continued:
"I am proud of what I did in this Euro tournament and I'm proud of my team. I will come back stronger. This is football. I hope it is a blessing in disguise.
"Maybe later, I'll be proud [of my Golden Boot award] but right now I am very distraught after this defeat."
Griezmann, who is of Portuguese origins, also showed sportsmanship for the newly-crowned UEFA European Championship winners.
"They [Portugal] were strong defensively and scored without Ronaldo. They showed up with a beautiful team, as a beautiful unit. They proved it. We gave our all. In the end, Portugal are the champions and we must respect them.
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