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Lionel Messi: 'Barcelona need Antoine Griezmann for Champions League'

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi admits that signing Antoine Griezmann from rivals Atletico Madrid this summer would be a "brilliant" coup for his side.

Lionel Messi has reiterated his desire for Barcelona to spend big to land Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann, insisting that his side's Champions League hopes may depend on it.

The Catalan giants are reportedly awaiting a decision from the France international as to whether he wants to join, having also been offered an improved contract by Atleti.

Barca already have Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele and Messi in their forward line, but the latter believes that additional firepower could be required if his side are to end their recent dry spell on the continental stage.

"I am in agreement that to win the Champions League again we need to have the best players - Griezmann is one of them," he told Sport. "If the club sign him, brilliant. I don't know if he's the priority. That depends on the signing committee and the coach.

"I can only say that to win the Champions League you have to have the best players. And he is very good."

Barcelona have failed to progress beyond the quarter-final stage in three seasons since last lifting the Champions League, being knocked out by Atletico, Juventus and most recently Roma.

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Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring the 2018 Europa League final on May 16, 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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