Neymar: Messi deserves to win Ballon d'Or

Posted Wednesday, July 25, 2012 by ESPN

Santos striker Neymar predicts Argentina star Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or and claims the Barcelona forward would be fully deserving of the award.

Neymar is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in world football and not without good reason; the 20-year-old is known for his incredible turn of pace, mesmeric dribbling, technical ability and lethal finishing, qualities which has served him well at Santos as he helped the club to the league title last season.

His incredible form for Santos led to a Ballon d'Or nomination for the Brazil international and there are some who are tipping him to win the prestigious footballing award.

Neymar has however dismissed that possiblity and believes the award should rightfully go to Messi, who has already won an incredible three Ballon d'Or in a row.

"Me? No, the Ballon d'Or is for Messi, who is the best in the world, there is no one like him," Neymar told Mundo Deportivo.

"He will win it, he is the greatest. He comes up with new things after every match. Yes, yes, another Ballon d'Or for Messi. That is what there is. We all know it."

Neymar was fantastic for Santos last season, scoring an amazing 30 goals and providing 7 assists in 31 appearances but Messi trumped him with an astonishing return of 73 goals and 29 assists in a mere 60 appearances for the Catalan giants.