FORCA BARCA: Barca back to La Liga top; today Messi 'will win Ballon d'Or'

Hello Barca fans, we bring you all-important Barcelona news in the past 24 hours. Here we start, FORCA BARCA!

MATCH REPORTS

Atletico 0-1 Barca: Messi's beautiful curler sends Barca top, Pique off injured

Click here to read the full match reports. >>

Messi scores 30th goal vs Atletico

Moreover, Messi has now scored 25 goals in 27 La Liga appearances against Atletico, who are his 2nd favourite victim in La Liga.

Messi also has 9 dribbles & 2 tackles vs Atletico

BALLON D'OR NEWS UPDATE

'Messi will win Ballon d'Or'

Both ANSA and Gazzetta dello Sport claim Messi will win the prestigious prize in Paris tonight.

Messi will attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony (MD)

He will go with Ter Stegen, De Jong and Griezmann to Paris and will be the first in history with six awards.

TEAM NEWS

Early end to Pique's night due to injury to his left knee

Gerard Pique was forced off injured in the final minutes of Barcelona's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday night.

'Die!' - Griezmann roundly jeered by Atletico fans

As was expected, the Atletico Madrid fans booed and whistled Griezmann on his return to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

'You wanted to have a name & forgot to be a man'

A banner held up by Atletico fans (presumably aimed at Griezmann).

Messi leads the ranking of most valuable players of match

There are 6 Barca players in top 10. 

Vidal will discuss potential Inter move with club (GdS)

Vidal will reportedly sit down with Barcelona to discuss a potential move to Inter, with Beppe Marotta expressing “admiration” for the midfielder.

VOICE

Valverde: Having Messi is always a great advantage

"When matches are tight and [your opponents] are strong, having Messi is always a great advantage."

Rakitic: I don't understand the situation because I want to play

"What I want to do is enjoy and doing my best because I still have a lot to give. I have the confidence of the teammates." explained the Croatian.

"I do not understand the situation because I want to play. If I can play, there's no better place than Barça. I want to enjoy every day and if I can stay here, much better."

Saul: Messi is the best and has shown why he is the best

Atletico midfielder Saul: "We are frustrated at the end with a defeat, as we played well and created chances to score."

"But when Messi is on the pitch, he can do that, and with such ease."

"He is the best."

Ter Stegen: I try to do my job

Ter Stegen made two stunning first-half saves, the first from Mario Hermoso and the second from Alvaro Morata. 

However, despite his decisive performance, the German goalkeeper didn't want to award himself a medal and said: "I try to do my job." 

IN-DEPTH

Messi is Barca's saviour again  as Griezmann flops on Atleti return

For once, the spotlight started on someone other than Lionel Messi, but it found its way back to the Argentine in the end.

Click here to read the full article. >>

PIC

The true range of Ter Stegen... What a strong wall of Barca 👍