World Cup sensation not in the same calibre, says Atletico chief.
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Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has aimed a subtle dig at Real Madrid’s latest big-money signing James Rodriguez, Marca reports.
The Colombian winger completed a £63m move to the Bernabeu from AS Monaco this summer, on the back of a superb individual showing at this summer’s World Cup for the Colombian national team.
Finishing as top scorer of the tournament with six goals, Rodriguez became one of the most sought-after talents in Europe after his displays in Brazil, and eventually became Real’s latest ‘Galactico’ purchase as he made the big-money move to Spain.
Atletico, however, believe they have got a better player in Antoine Griezmann, who made the move from Real Sociedad for around £24m after a superb campaign for the Basque side last year.
Cerezo believes Griezmann’s signing is in the same calibre as Luis Suarez’s move from Liverpool to Barcelona, but believes Rodriguez is not quite on the same level as those two.
“Antoine is the most outstanding player in all of Europe. He has shown that,” he said. “He is the signing of the summer. He is comparable to players like Luis Suarez. James, not so much, because he still doesn’t have a successful career behind him.”
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