The Slight Advantage of Antoine Griezmann
World Soccer|April 2016

Small of frame but big on talent, Antoine Griezmann of France could have a huge part to play on home soil at this summer's Euros.

Howard Johnson
The Slight Advantage of Antoine Griezmann

On Antoine Griezmann’s forearm there is a tattoo in Arabic. It is a quote from a famous French writer who shares a first name with the Atletico Madrid and France striker.

Author of world-famous story The Little Prince, Antoine De Saint-Exupery effortlessly captures life’s awesome wonder. No wonder, then, that Griezmann decided to ink himself with Saint-Exupery’s charming line: “Fais de ta vie un rêve, et fais de ton rêve une réalité", meaning “make your life a dream, and make your dream a reality”.

If that has been Griezmann’s mantra, then so far so good. At the age of 25, most of his dreams have already come true. A leading light in France National coach Didier Deschamps’ squad and a hero in his adopted homeland of Spain, with 1.8 million followers on Twitter, Griezmann has already shown why he is tipped to be one of the big stars of Euro 2016.

“He always knows how to hurt the opposition,” says Diego Simeone, his coach at Atletico – and the animated Argentinian is not kidding. In front of goal, Griezmann has the kind of ice in his veins that others can only dream of and is a player who never needs asking twice to set the net bulging. 

Griezmann is no physical, bullying presence smashing his way onto the goal scoring leader board, though. He relies on blistering pace, all-round athleticism and the audacity to try his luck from anywhere and everywhere. 

“I try to play between the lines, to get on the front foot and attack defenders like Messi,” he says.

These are the skills that have really excited Deschamps, not to mention the ever-growing number of French football fans who are loudly singing his praises.

Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin April 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin April 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

WORLD SOCCER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
World Soccer

Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer

time-read
5 dak  |
July 2024
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
World Soccer

Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer

The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role

time-read
4 dak  |
July 2024
Inter cruise to title number 20
World Soccer

Inter cruise to title number 20

Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
HAT-TRICK HERO
World Soccer

HAT-TRICK HERO

Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final

time-read
6 dak  |
July 2024
GOING UP
World Soccer

GOING UP

The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar

time-read
6 dak  |
July 2024
Palau soldier on alone
World Soccer

Palau soldier on alone

The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island

time-read
2 dak  |
July 2024
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
World Soccer

Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six

As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
World Soccer

AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown

The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
Disasters brewing
World Soccer

Disasters brewing

There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
World Soccer

Second round of World Cup qualifying underway

Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines

time-read
3 dak  |
July 2024