Zimpapers Logo

Paris. — Euro 2016 golden boot Antoine Griezmann suffered a second heartbreaking defeat in weeks when France lost to Portugal in Sunday night’s final.

“It’s frustrating, it sucks, but that’s football,” said the 25-year-old marksman who also missed a penalty when his Atletico Madrid club side lost to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final.

UEFA yesterday named French forward and tournament top scorer Griezmann as the best player of Euro 2016, a day after the hosts’ 1-0 final defeat to Portugal.

“Antoine Griezmann was a threat in every game he played. He works hard for his team and possesses technique, vision and quality finishing,” said UEFA chief technical officer Ioan Lupescu, who led the panel that picked the striker.

The Euro 2016 showdown had been widely billed as a battle between Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Griezmann, who scored six goals in the tournament to become France’s new football darling.

“We weren’t as clinical as we were against Germany — we hit the post and I also had some chances — it is frustrating but we’re going to need to come back stronger,” Griezmann said. — AFP.