Antoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo will square off in the last eight at the Euros when Portugal and France meet with the Atletico Madrid man claiming he was Ronaldo's equal
Antoine Griezmann claimed in 2018 that "he sits where Cristiano Ronaldo does" as the duo prepare to meet in Friday night's quarter-final at Euro 2024.
The Atletico Madrid star has been one of France's outstanding performers and made his comments just months after claiming the World Cup in Russia. Since then his influence at Les Blues has only increased and he's been an integral part of their recent success.
Ronaldo's powers are waining but in 2018 he won the last of his fifth Champions League titles and scored 44 times for Real Madrid. Griezmann meanwhile won the Europa League in the same year but was more than willing to compare himself to the Portuguese icon.
The pair were among those contesting the Ballon d'Or, which was eventually won by Ronaldo's then Real team-mate Luka Modric. Griezmann's best finish is third, which he achieved in 2016 and 2018, but the forward felt he was on a par with the game's leading lights.
He previously told AS: "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 has been unable to feature in contention for the Ballon d'Or since 2018. Ronaldo's last and fifth success came in 2017 with the 39-year-old now edging towards the end of his career as his starting role for Portugal is questioned.
Ronaldo's country needed penalties to see off Slovenia in the last 16 of the Euros earlier this week. The Al-Nassr star missed an extra-time penalty before scoring in the shootout. Griezmann and France meanwhile are yet to score a goal from open play in their four games as both country's underwhelm.
The Atletico man's compatriot Kylian Mbappe has long been vocal about his admiration for Ronaldo - and he'll follow his idol to Real in a matter of weeks. He is relishing the chance to take on the veteran in the last eight this evening.
"It's the admiration I've always had for Cristiano, for the player. Over time, I've had the chance to get to know him and talk to him many times. We're still in touch," said Mbappe. "He's always trying to give me advice and keep up to date with what's going on. Playing against him is an honour for everything he's done in football."