Former Las Palmas coach Paco Jemez has defended Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann over his recent claims.

Griezmann has drawn criticism for stating he deserves to "sit at the table" of Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo.

"This year he is going to sit at the same table," Jemez told AS.

"Another thing is that when you have to distribute the gold, silver and bronze silverware to them, give him the bronze one. But for me he is at the same table and he has done things to look Cristiano and Messi in the face."

On Ronaldo's dismissal against Valencia, Jemez continued: "I've seen things on a field much more important to send off a player, but the referees are like that. The game was very open to Valencia, but Juve showed that it is a great team even missing its best player."