Speaking of Messi, there were some interesting quotes from him yesterday...

Lionel Messi says his failed attempt to leave Barcelona in the summer has affected his form this season.

In August the Argentina forward said he wanted to exercise a clause in his contract which he said allowed him to leave on a free transfer.

But Barcelona refused, saying said his 700m euro (£624m) release clause had to be met.

"I dragged everything into the start of the season a bit," Messi, 33, told Spanish television channel La Sexta. "The truth is right now I'm feeling fine, but in the summer I had a very bad time."

Messi, who can leave Barcelona for free when his contract runs out at the end of the season, is able to negotiate with other clubs from 1 January.

Lionel Messi equalled Brazil legend Pele's record of 643 goals for a single club by scoring for Barcelona in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Valencia.

The Argentine, 33, achieved the feat with a diving header just before half-time, immediately after his penalty was saved by keeper Jaume Domenech.

Messi scored his first goal for Barca in 2005 against Albacete.

Pele scored 643 goals in 19 seasons for Brazilian side Santos between 1956 and 1974.

Only five players remain from the Real Valladolid starting line up that drew 1-1 v Sevilla last time out.

Roque Mesa, who had a spell at Swansea, is on the bench, as is Sergi Guardiola - a player that was signed by Barcelona a few years ago but his contract was terminated "some hours later" when the club became aware of pro-Real Madrid tweets, , externalincluding offensive language about Catalans.

Real Valladolid XI: Masip, Joaquin, Sanchez, Nacho, Hervias, Plano, Jota, Alcaraz, Michel, Andre, Weissman.

Three changes for Barcelona as Clement Lenglet, Frenkie de Jong and Miralem Pjanic come in for Sergio Busquets, Antoine Griezmann and Philippe Coutinho.

Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Dest, Mingueza, Araujo, Lenglet, Alba, Pjanic, Pedri, De Jong, Braithwaite, Messi.

Barcelona subs: Sergio, Alena, Griezmann, Riqui Puig, Neto, Coutinho, Trincao, Umtiti, Junior, Inaki Pena.

Hello and welcome along to BBC Sport's live text commentary of the La Liga match between Real Valladolid and Barcelona.

These are strange times at Barcelona with them surprisingly struggling in La Liga.

They find themselves down in sixth and well off the pace, although they are unbeaten in their last three.

Can they get the win tonight away at a Real Valladolid side that find themselves in the relegation zone?

Image source, Getty Images