Lionel Messi hopes to play alongside Antoine Griezmann at Barcelona next season after labelling the in Atletico Madrid star a “great player”.

Griezmann has long been linked with a move to the Camp Nou and will confirm his future before the World Cup.

The French international – with a €100million release clause – has scored 29 and provided 13 assists in 53 for Diego Simeone’s side during the 2017-2018 season.

But the 27-year-old at least has the approval of the club’s crown jewel Messi, as the Argentine stated he wants as much quality as possible at Barcelona.

“I have always said it. It is easy to get along with great players and Griezmann is one of the best, he is going through an exceptional time in his career,” Messi told Mundo Deportivo.

“The coach will then look at how he fits everyone in but he is obviously a great player and we would click together.

“Whether Griezmann comes or not is up to the coach, it is still not 100 per cent, but obviously the more quality we have the better.”