Saul backs Atletico team-mate Griezmann for Ballon d'Or

Atletico Madrid and France star Antoine Griezmann would be a worthy winner of the Ballon d'Or, according to club team-mate Saul Niguez.

Griezmann was included on the 30-man shortlist for the coveted individual prize, having finished third for the award in 2016.

The 27-year-old enjoyed another fine campaign with Atletico – scoring 29 goals in 2017-18 as his team won the Europa League – while he netted four times to help France to the World Cup title.

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Griezmann himself has called for the Ballon d'Or to be bestowed on one of France's World Cup winners, despite Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's dominance of the award over the last decade .