Lionel Messi hopes to play alongside Antoine Griezmann at Barcelona after labelling the in-demand Atletico Madrid star a ‘great player’.

Griezmann has been heavily linked with a move to Barca in the off-season and the La Liga champions have made no secret of their interest in the France international, who said he would confirm his future before the World Cup.

The 27-year-old forward – a Europa League winner with Atletico in 2017-18 after scoring 29 goals in all competitions – has a reported €100-million release clause.

And five-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, who is also preparing for the World Cup in Russia, wants as much quality as possible at Camp Nou.

‘He’s a great player and we would understand each other,’ Messi told Mundo Deportivo.

‘He’s going through an exceptional moment in his career.

‘It’s not yet 100%, but the more quality we have, the better.’

Messi added: ‘We want to be the best team in the world, and for that, we have to look at the best.’