Valverde: Messi deserves to win Ballon d'Or

Ernesto Valverde, whose team visits Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday, said that that Lionel Messi deserves Ballon d'Or more than anyone this year

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, 32, is tipped to win a record sixth Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday after enjoying another stellar year.

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde believes voting for the Ballon d'Or should be easy, saying Lionel Messi deserved to win the award.

Messi, 32, is tipped to win a record sixth Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday after enjoying another stellar year.

Valverde, whose team visits Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Sunday, said voting should be no problem as Messi is the world's best player.

"I don't follow these awards galas because they are too long. My vote, well, I guess, is the same as yours," he told a news conference.

"I would vote for the best, obviously. Ever year you always vote depending on how the seasons have gone for the players.

"But if you have to give it to the best, let's just give it to Messi and the problem is solved."

Ahead of its trip to the Wanda Metropolitano, Barcelona is second in La Liga, three points behind rivals Real Madrid.