Griezmann backs Buffon for Ballon d'Or
Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann tipped Juventus to beat Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League final, while endorsing goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon for Ballon d'Or honours.
Italian giant Juventus will meet defending European champion Madrid in the final in Cardiff on 4 June (AEST).
The Serie A titleholder has not won the Champions League since 1995-1996 but Atletico Madrid star Griezmann believes Juve will reign supreme at Millennium Stadium, allowing iconic captain and goalkeeper Buffon to pip Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to the coveted individual award.
"Juventus will win the Champions League and therefore Gigi Buffon the Ballon d'Or," Griezmann said.
Runners-up last season and in 2014, Atletico almost reached back-to-back finals but the capital club was stopped in the semi-finals 4-2 on aggregate by city rival Madrid.
"[Finals] hurt more than semis. Because you think you're going to raise the trophy, you make moves with your people ... Then you lose and it's very hard," Griezmann said.
Atletico also secured another season in the UEFA Champions League, having claimed third position in LaLiga.
"We did not win titles, which is what we wanted," Griezmann added. "We fulfilled an objective, third, we did a great job. Pity about the semis."
Atletico close out their season at home to Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
