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The best 30 players at the World Cup

By James Dudko

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the International friendly match match between Portugal and The Netherlands at Stade de Genève on March 26, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the International friendly match match between Portugal and The Netherlands at Stade de Genève on March 26, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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LYON, FRANCE – MAY 16: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates with the trophy following the UEFA Europa League Final between Olympique de Marseille and Club Atletico de Madrid at Stade de Lyon on May 16, 2018 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
LYON, FRANCE – MAY 16: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid celebrates with the trophy following the UEFA Europa League Final between Olympique de Marseille and Club Atletico de Madrid at Stade de Lyon on May 16, 2018 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

7. Antoine Griezmann, forward, France

Antoine Griezmann is another star getting ready for the World Cup off the back of a successful season. On a personal level, the French forward has put up impressive numbers, scoring 29 goals and registering 13 assists across all competitions for Atletico Madrid.

Griezmann’s efforts inspired Los Rojiblancos to win the Europa League. The tournament’s official Twitter account outlined the ex-Real Sociedad man’s prolific contributions:

https://twitter.com/EuropaLeague/status/997091866133913601

Those numbers and performances have become common for Griezmann. He has refined his game around a varied range of movement.

Griezmann’s runs off the ball are purposeful, routinely putting him in position to score. Timing and perception are the core qualities of his movement, but acceleration and pace are also features.

What he has added is a coolness in front of goal. His nerve and quality when presented with a chance was shown vividly by the way he took both of his goals during Atleti’s 3-0 win over Marseille in the Europa League final.

Griezmann owes France a debt after going missing when Les Bleus lost to Portugal in the final of Euro 2016. The 27-year-old is primed to show his best at this level.

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