Former Spain striker David Villa has claimed that Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann is now on the same level as Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Griezmann has hit 29 goals in all competitions for Atletico this season, with the Frenchman playing a key role in his club's progression to the Champions League semi-finals and strong La Liga challenge.
Villa has said that the 25-year-old is now "one of the best players" in the world and that he regularly speaks to his former Atletico teammates about the progression of the French international.
"At the highest level you have to analyse things in a certain way, with all the different players, but Griezmann is one of the best players right now in world football. For the things that he's doing, the focus he has," Villa told Marca.
"I have a lot of friends in the dressing room and they are amazed by him, as a person and a footballer. He's young, he has a long future as a forward and has massive potential."
Villa currently represents New York City in the MLS.
Matt Law
