Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann believes “a Frenchman must win the Ballon d'Or” after their World Cup success this year.
The 27-year-old is one of 30 players nominated for the award along with five of his international teammates – Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, Kylian Mbappe and N’Golo Kante.
“A Frenchman must win the Ballon d'Or,” Griezmann said, as cited on the front cover of France Football.
Karim Benzema, who has been exiled from the French national team, is also on the shortlist but no Frenchman was included in the three-man shortlist for FIFA’s The Best award earlier this year.
Griezmann has previously said he ‘dreams’ of lifting the Ballon d’Or award, which is run by the France Football magazine.
