Sergio Ramos has urged Antoine Griezmann to learn some values from Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid after the striker claimed he is on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
After missing out on a place in the top three for this year's FIFA The Best award despite his role in France's World Cup success, the 27-year-old set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or before its announcement at the end of the year.
Griezmann fancies his chances because he "already sits where Messi and Cristiano are", but Ramos felt the need to put him in his place and told him to learn a few things from the figures around him.
"Griezmann saying he is on the same table than Cristiano and Messi? Ignorance is very bold," the defender told reporters. "I remember Raúl, Francesco Totti, Iker Casillas, Paolo Maldini... They won every title and they don't have a Ballon d'Or.
"Everybody is free to give his opinion and thoughts, but this guy should let himself be advised by Cholo Simeone, Diego Godín or Koke, who have some values which could be helpful to him.
"Anyway, he is a great player and I wish him the best."
As players on opposing sides of a city rivalry, Griezmann and Ramos are used to exchanging barbs of sorts. Last year, Griezmann posted an image on Instagram that suggested he had knocked Ramos off his crown following Atletico's UEFA Super Cup win.
Real Madrid host Roma on Wednesday as they begin their defence of the Champions League crown without the talisman of the last nine years Ronaldo.
But Ramos is confident his team remain strong enough to threaten their rivals for the top prize this year.
"Cristiano had a wonderful time in Madrid, but we can't keep living off what he did," he said. "Real Madrid start from zero every season. It's a big gap but it's being filled by players with amazing talent.
"We have built a superb squad capable of competing as well as when Cristiano was here. We respect him and wish him all the best.
"He had goals, was powerful, amazing for the counterattacks... and now all those qualities have to be adapted to this squad. Now we have more posession and that's how we must hurt our rivals. We have to learn how to strengthen that."
One of the stars tipped to step into a starring role since Ronaldo's departure is Marco Asensio, and Ramos believes the pressure is on the 22-year-old to perform.
"It's time now to demand things of Asensio," he said. "Not too much, though. He is now in a starting role, and has important responsibilities.
"He could set a new age at Real Madrid. I'm convinced about it. I hope he has a unique career in football."
