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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
CReal Madrid38298187266195
2Barcelona38267579443585
3GironaGirona38256785463981
4Atletico MadridAtletico382441070432776
5Athletic Bilbao381911861372468
6Real Sociedad3816121051391260
7Real BetisBetis38141594845357
8Villarreal381411136565053
9Valencia381310154045-549
10AlavesAlaves381210163646-1046
11Osasuna38129174556-1145
12Getafe381013154254-1243
13Celta Vigo381011174657-1141
14Sevilla381011174854-641
15Mallorca38816143344-1140
16Las PalmasLas Palmas381010183347-1440
17Rayo Vallecano38814162948-1938
RCadizCadiz38615172655-2933
RAlmeria38312234375-3221
RGranada3849253879-4121


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