Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann has revealed the truth behind his relationship with Real Madrid talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
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The Portuguese recently revealed that he saw Griezmann on holiday in Miami not long after Portugal and France's clash in the final of the 2016 European Championship, where the Frenchman, whose team lost, had apparently jokingly told Ronaldo: "I hate you, Cristiano."
Several publications in Europe have misinterpreted what the Rojiblancos striker said to the Real Madrid attacker, but Griezmann has now explained that he has a great deal of respect for his rival, adding that if he was a young boy, he would be a huge fan of the 31-year-old.
"Ronaldo used to be my neighbour and he passed my house every day," he told L'Equipe.
"We always greeted each other. But I moved house last year. I do not live far away now, but you do not meet as regularly.
"But we did meet this summer in Miami. I was on holiday with my partner and we met Cristiano in a restaurant. It was a huge coincidence. I went up to him to congratulate him for Portugal's Euro 2016 win and Madrid's Champions League victory.
"I joked that I hated him because I was still suffering after the Euro 2016 final. But I obviously do not feel differently about him because he beat me in two major finals and scored a hat-trick at the weekend. I have a lot of respect for him.
"If I was still a young kid, I would probably be a fan of him, just like I would be a fan of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Paul Pogba."
Ronaldo's Real also beat Griezmann's Atleti in the UEFA Champions League final in May.
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Both stars are in contention for the 2016 Ballon d'Or award, the winner of which will be announced before the end of the year.
Who do you think has the better chance of winning the 2016 Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo or Griezmann? Let us know in the comments section below.
