is among the legendary few who can claim to have won the men's FIFA . The French forward's early years were complex, and the possibility of becoming a professional player was up in the air for some time until a letter changed everything. From his early days in Macon, Griezmann's love for football was unparalleled.

Even in the classroom, his thoughts were consumed by the beautiful game. But despite his love for football, some doubted whether he could make it as a professional, which his height and physicality called into question. Griezmann has gone on to prove those doubters wrong.

Here is how he did it. Manchester United have been linked with making a high-profile move for Atletico Madrid talisman Antoine Griezmann Griezmann was known to rush through his school exams, eager to return to the pitch as soon as he could. Griezmann's mother, Isabelle Lopes, fondly reflected on her son's childhood when she spoke to : "He had only one wish, and it was to live his passion.

" Football was not a hobby for the Frenchman; it was a passion, as his Mother said: "It was his life." As a young teen, Griezmann even dyed his hair blonde in an attempt to look like his footballing idol, Pavel Nedved. Though he could not look more different from the Czech legend, Griezmann's eventual career arguably surpassed that of his heroes.

In 2019, Griezmann sat down with and reflected on his early struggles: "They always said I was too small, and they did x-rays of my wrist to see how far I would grow." Tho.