Atletico Madrid midfielder Baena was interviewed by DAZN, during which he discussed the current state of his teammate Alvarez and responded to questions about the Ballon d'Or, naming his top three picks.

After a very difficult summer, how do you see Alvarez now? It seems like he's gradually getting back into form, right?

Very good. I think he's much better now, especially mentally. After all, he went through a very difficult period, especially on a personal level. But now you can see that he really wants to help the team. He's smiling more and more every day with his teammates, and that's the most important thing for us. We've always tried our best to support him and always understood his situation. Now he's in great form, very much looking forward to this weekend, and hoping to help us as much as possible.

Discussions about the Ballon d'Or have begun. If you were to choose, who would you give the award to? Are any of your national team teammates among them?

I am very clear. My top three would be Yamal, Rodri, and Messi. For me, Yamal is the best player in the world. Rodri proved his quality at the World Cup; he was the best player in the World Cup. As for Messi, he's 39 this season, and yet he can still perform at this level. I think it's hard for any other player to do that.

You all seem very certain about Yamal. Grimaldo told me the same thing, and the other day I heard Morata say, "It's when you actually play with him that you can tell."

To be honest, I've watched him train many times this summer. Some of the things he does, you don't see from other players his age. I think he's one of the few players who would make me watch a game just to see him.

Before, only Messi made me feel that way. If Messi played, I'd watch the game just to see him. Now Yamal gives me the same feeling. I watch Barcelona's games mainly to see him, and of course, one or two other players. But if he doesn't play, it's really hard for me to watch Barcelona's games.

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