Antoine Griezmann’s stunning performances in the number seven shirt for France at Euro 2016 have helped drive his team to the final. But will it be the Frenchman or Portugal’s very own number seven star, Cristiano Ronaldo, who has the last word on Sunday?

Griezmann’s double in the semi-final against Germany on Thursday – a penalty and a poked finish from close range – sent the host-nation on its way to the Stade de France for the final against Portugal.

While Portugal captain Ronaldo has been setting the world alight for the best part of a decade, it’s 25-year-old Griezmann who has dominated so far at Euro 2016.

The French attacking midfielder-turned-striker is the tournament’s leading scorer with six goals as well as two assists – compared to Ronaldo’s return of three strikes and three assists.

There is a sense that, going into Sunday’s final, there has been a changing of the guard at the top of European football.

Ronaldo's three Ballon d'Or titles for world player of the year are testament to the success he has had.

But, at 31, his powers are inevitably starting to wane, and Euro 2016 may be the first signs of that.

The Portugal captain has surpassed a number of landmarks at the tournament – the first person to score at four European Championships, his country’s record appearance-holder, the highest number of appearances at Euros – but he has cut a frustrated figure at times.

He put in a two-goal performance in the 3-3 draw with Hungary in the group stage, as well as a stunning leap to open the scoring against Wales in the semi-final, but at times he has been isolated and on the fringes of games.

His actions away from the matches may be a sign of his sense of frustration – the criticism of Iceland as having a “small mentality” after their 1-1 draw; hurling a reporter’s microphone into a lake after being asked a seemingly innocuous question.

Contrast this with Griezmann, who, at 25, is hitting his peak and seems to be enjoying life at Euro 2016.

Six goals and some stellar performances have led to widespread acclaim, and mean he is frontrunner for the golden boot and is many people's player of the tournament.

He has also won plaudits off the pitch for giving the matchball from the win over Ireland to the son of a murdered French police officer.

(RT)