Atletico Madrid attacker Antoine Griezmann insists he is full of confidence at present, saying the hard work put in earlier in the season is now paying off.
Griezmann scored just five goals in his first 22 appearances across all competitions for Atletico, following his 30 million euro summer move from Real Sociedad, and appeared to be struggling to come to terms with the intensity demanded by the Spanish champions.
However, he has scored nine times in the 12 games since, while also playing a key role in Diego Simeone's side's much celebrated victories over richer neighbours Real Madrid in both the Copa del Rey and La Liga.
The 23-year-old told Telefoot that a hat trick in December's 4-2 La Liga win at Athletic Bilbao had kickstarted his career in Madrid, while getting used to a new more central position had also been a factor in his slow start.
"Since Bilbao, when I scored three goals, I am full of confidence and can see that it was worth putting the work in," Griezmann said. "At the start, it was difficult because I had always played on the left, and here I am playing up front. But that does not worry me now. I am not worried about my position when I am out on the pitch."
The France international, who now has five goals in his first 14 international senior caps, said he was also aiming to consolidate his place in the Les Bleus lineup ahead of the Euro 2016 tournament on home soil.
"I try to always smile and give everything on the pitch," Griezmann said. "Every time I put on a France jersey I think of the 2016 Euros that we are going to play at home. The more international caps I get, the better I will feel."