Griezmann admits Messi barely talks to him at Barcelona… even though he gave him some tea

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN has admitted he has found it hard to strike up any relationship with Lionel Messi - because they barely talk to each other.

Griezmann is taking time to settle in to life at Barcelona following his £107million summer move from Atletico Madrid.

The French World Cup winner arrived after a lengthy pursuit by the Spanish champions, amid suggestions Messi wanted Neymar back at the club instead.

Talk in Spain since then has been hinting at a frosty relationship between to two of the biggest stars at the Nou Camp.

And now Griezmann has confirmed there are some issues between him and the five-time world player of the year.

Griezmann, 28, said: "He is not someone who talks a lot and neither am I. It's difficult.

"I have already given him some mate (tea) and we are going in the right direction.

"But he has been injured a lot so it is difficult to make this connection, to improve it.

"We are two good guys, nice people, and I'm here to help anyone on the team."

With Messi missing much of the opening few weeks of the season through injury, it has hampered the pair from striking up any kind of understanding on the pitch.

In that time Griezmann has hit three goals in his first eight appearances for Barcelona, a disappointing return from someone expected to take on the main man role in Messi's absence.

In the meantime, Messi has continued his close relationship with fellow striker Luis Suarez while Griezmann looks in from the outside.

But the trio could link up together on the pitch tonight as Barca face Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Messi looks to have finally shaken off the injuries which have blighted the opening weeks of his season and should start against Antonio Conte's Serie A leaders.