"If you're giving the Ballon D'or to the best, you have to give it Messi"

The Ballon D'or is given out on Monday, but Ernesto Valverde does not seem a big fan of these individual ceremonies. That is what he seemed to suggest when he was asked about it prior to the Atletico match. 

"I don't follow these ceremonies much bcause they are very long. I would vote for the best. If in the end you are giving to the best, you have to give it to Messi and that's that," Valverde said. 

The Barca coach was also asked about Arturo Vidal wanting more game time otherwise he would leave. "It will be a personal reflexion. We have important matches before the transfer window. We are happy with him."

Valverde also said that he has spoken to Ousmane Dembele who is much calmer after the injury he picked up against Dortmund which will leave him out for two months. 

The match on Sunday wll see Antoine Griezmann return to the Metropolitano and the coach defended the Frenchman. "People will receive him how they think is right and that's it. He gave everything for Atletico, he moved and that's it. We and the player shouldn't be influenced by that. We are used to playing in tough environments. It will be emotional for him," Valverde continued. 

To close, the Barca manager was asked on Ivan Rakitic's chances of playing in the match, but he would not say any more than that it is "a clear possibility."