El Principito (the little prince) reigns over Spain at the moment and should be crowned the league's player of the season.
No, he is not a classic centre-forward, a pure number nine, a serial goalscorer or a tricky winger who shakes up opposing defences but rather Antoine Griezmann - the alien footballer shaped in part by Diego Simeone, the Frenchman rejected by French training centres, the 2018 world champion.
To sum up Atletico Madrid's recent exceptional performances as completely down to Griezmann would be to undermine the team's hard work. However, there is no doubt that his role in the team is a vital component of their success.
With 13 goals already this season, it would be easy to downplay his influence on the league and argue that Griezmann has not done anything sensational but his talents do not lie in raw statistics.
However, if you are looking for numbers to back up the argument for him, you'll be amazed to learn that the Macon native has not only scored 13 times this season but has also provided 12 assists for his teammates.
This is the most prolific and decisive contribution in Spain. What's more, he has achieved these numbers while having played eight matches at the World Cup in the middle of the season and, almost by chance, establishing himself within the French team as the undisputed fulcrum of the side.
At Atletico, he has managed to find a new lease on life after a complicated 2021/2022 season and to help raise the club's head above water once again.
Thanks to his runs, vision and technical prowess, Atletico are the most in-form side in LaLiga as the season draws to a close. Importantly, they are starting to change their style, delivering an attacking game, all led, of course, at its core by the sublime Griezmann.
The last time Atleti broke away from their rigid 4-4-2 formation based primarily on counter-attacking football, they were crowned champions. That was without the Frenchman. With the return of their prodigal son, their football is even more eye-catching.
The little prince, as well as shining individually, makes those around him shine too. His selflessness is such that whether he is playing alongside Memphis Depay (whose season is already over), Alvaro Morata, Thomas Lemar, Angel Correa or Yannick Carrasco, each one appears to be playing at their best. His form reflects onto others, which is a mark of greatness.
And the most magical thing about all of this is that Griezmann remains perfectly humble. With the face of an eternally mischievous child, he appears as comfortable on the Metropolitano pitch as he would be in his own backyard. He fully embraces his eccentric hairstyles, goes on to win big games and then jokes about awards in the mixed zone.
So if you're still wondering who the best player in LaLiga is or if you're wondering who the most successful French international is at the moment, look no further. Antoine Griezmann is simply the only candidate for both titles around.
