Profile: EURO 2016 Player of the Tournament, Antoine Griezmann

As all eyes focused on France ahead of the 2016 European Championships, the big question on everybody’s lips was who would be the Golden Boot winner: Cristiano Ronaldo perhaps? Thomas Muller? Even Jamie Vardy, maybe (we can all dream!)

One man who didn’t make too many people’s shortlists was Antoine Griezmann. But after weeks of captivating football, the Atletico man finished top of the pile with six goals.

Despite French hearts being broken late on in the final by Portugal, the 25-year-old had the tournament of his life, and UEFA named as the best player throughout the four-week competition on Monday.

Shoot takes a closer look at the French forward.

Where did it all start for Griezmann?

Born in March 1991, Griezmann grew up in the small commune of Macon towards the east of the country to an Alsatian father and mother, ironically, of Portuguese descent. There were no questions about what this kid dreamt about doing; forget school, it was all about football for young Griezmann. But perhaps, he didn’t have the technicalities to make it to the professional game as many clubs declined the Frenchman’s services as a child because of him being too weak, while playing for hometown club UF Macon.

That was until the year of 2005. While on trial with French club Montpellier, Griezmann had the game of his life and attracted interest from many clubs across Europe, including Real Sociedad. Cue a week-long trial in Spain. And, despite his parents’ initial reluctance, he eventually signed permanently for the La Liga side’s academy later that year. The dream had actually become a reality.

Antoine Griezmann of Atletico looks dejected after the Champions League final defeat to Real. Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

What happened next?

When initially making the move to Spain, life was certainly not glamorous for the young star. He would be educated in the day at the nearby college (remember, he hadn’t made it officially yet) and then train daily at the academy in the evening.

But, in the end, the hard work soon payed off. After four years playing youth football, he was eventually given his opportunity to feature for Socidedad’s first team during the 2009-10 pre-season. And when you get the chance, the main thing is to grasp it. That is exactly what the French star did, scoring five goals in four appearences off the left wing. There was no doubt from that day on: then manager Martin Lasarte had to start the youngster.

His competitive debut was in September of that year when he came off the bench in a Copa del Ray fixture over Rayo Vallecano. He impressed once again. So there was no surprise that he became a regular within the league set-up, making 39 appearences as the Royals surged towards La Liga.

He then made 37 appearences in his debut season in the Spanish top-flight and, as a result, the following summer attracted interest from some of the world’s greatest clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal.

However, he was settled in Spain and signed a new five-year deal with the club in April 2010. He remained a Sociedad player until the summer of 2014, when it was obvious that greater things loomed for the Frenchman.

How has he performed at Atletico?

It was July 2014 when Griezmann made the move from the north east of Spain to the capital city of Madrid when he put pen-to-paper at Atletico, who only months earlier had featured in the Champions League final. He made an instant impact, scoring his first goal jut weeks into his career with Diego Simeone’s men in a Champions League tie over Olympiacos. Goals in the league came as well – most notably a hat-trick in December of 2014 in a fixture over Bilbao.

22 league goals were registered within his first season and last term followed a similar pattern with him also registering 22 goals – only Karim Benzema, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez scored more. The highlights of the campaign came at the Bernabeu, where he scored a decisive goal against arch-rivals Real Madrid in February. Another highlight came against the same opposition; this time the location was the San Siro with him converting a penalty in the Champions League final, only to be defeated by the 11-time winners in a penalty shootout.

Griezmann celebrates scoring his second goal against the Republic of Ireland at Euro 2016. Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

What about on the international front?

Ever since becoming a regular within Spanish football, Griezmann has been associated with the French national side; initially at youth level before progressing into the senior set-up. After earning caps at Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 level, Griezmann eventually made his debut for Les Bleus in March 2014 after Didier Deschamp called the young starlet up for a friendly fixture against the Netherlands.

After blossoming within the senior squad, there was no surprise that he was named within the French side to be taken to the 2014 World Cup. But, just like four years earlier, it would again eventually end in heartbreak with a 1-0 defeat to the eventual champions Germany; Griezmann did not bag one goal during the major tournament.

However, after progressing throughout the two years between the trip to Brazil and a home European Championships, this major tournament has been unparalleled. As the French anticipated a first major honour since 2000, Griezmann led the surge to the final with six goals for Didier Deschamp’s men, as they finished as runners-up.

Super Stat: Griezmann is the first French Golden Boot winner at a European Championship finals since Michel Platini in 1984.