Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone says Alvaro Morata is as good as any centre-forward in the world.\

Morata has been outstanding for Atletico this season.

Simeone said, "Álvaro has enormous virtues and we must demand a lot by him, also because he wants to improve. He has greater maturity, also as a person. He is a leader and feels like one, which is why he must be supported. For me he is on a par with Erling Haaland: for goals and numbers he can be compared to him."

Simeone also hailed the form of Antoine Griezmann.

He said: "What has to happen for Griezmann to win a Ballon d'Or? We have to win something important. He's extraordinary: he has something special, he works a lot and he likes to understand where the team needs his help.

"He has an extraordinary vitality and a unique understanding of the game. Little by little he will occupy other places on the pitch, he will be able to do so when he no longer has the energy he has today."