Only Messi can get you three points: Valverde

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde has praised Lionel Messi for scoring the only goal against Atletico Madrid.

Valverde said after the game: "In this kind of big games, there must be someone to resolve these confrontations."

"This person is Messi who is able to score at any time."

"Atletico played well in the first 20 minutes of the game and in the first half they had two chances but Ter Stegen saved the his net.

"As time went on we managed to get back in control and Atletico showed solidity against us."

"Atletico are a very difficult opponent and we tried to make changes in the middle of the pitch to avoid the difficulty of getting the ball out of defense to attack so I pushed Vidal instead of Arthur and Rakitic changed his position after that change and also changed our team's performance."

Messi led Barcelona to victory over Atletico Madrid in the 15th round of La Liga.

Messi is competing for the Ballon d'Or title at the ceremony.