Villa: Griezmann on same level as Messi and Ronaldo

David Villa, the former Atletico and Barcelona star has hailed Antoine Griezmann, claiming the Atletico forward is on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Griezmann has again impressed under Simeone this season, scoring 29 goals in all competitions, helping to take Atletico close to a double, with the club in the Champions League semi-finals, and level on points with league leaders Barcelona.

When asked by Marca if Griezmann was on the same level as Messi and Ronaldo, Villa said:  "Yes. At the highest level you have to analyse things in a certain way, with all the different players, but Griezmann is one of the best players right now in world football. For the things that he's doing and for the focus he has.

"I have a lot of friends in the dressing room and they are amazed by him, as a person and a footballer. He's young, he has a long future as a forward and has massive potential."

Villa also reserved some praisde for Fernando Torres who has recently found his form again, claiming that he is not surprised that the former Liverpool has proven his critics wrong. 

"Torres is a fighter and a winner," he said. "Whenever people have tried to say things about him that aren't very good, he's responded on the pitch, he's never liked to make claims off it, and that's why I'm not surprised [by his form].

"I know him, I know his work rate and his capability and I'm happy for the form he's in. I hope he keeps it going for as long as possible."