Neymar: I deserve Ballon d'Or nomination

Posted Tuesday, December 01, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Neymar: I deserve Ballon d'Or nomination
Barcelona forward Neymar believes he deserves to be alongside teammates Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi on the FIFA Ballon d'Or shortlist.

The three-man shortlist will be announced on Monday, with the winner set to be announced in a ceremony in Zurich on January 11, 2016.

Brazil international Neymar made the 23-man shortlist and feels his performances over the past 12 months make a strong case for his inclusion.

"I think I do deserve to be (among the finalists) for what I'm doing," Neymar told Globo TV.

"I would be happy if the trident was among the three. Throughout history we're doing, so we are conquered, all three should be there."

He added: "I never played to be the best in the world or the Golden Ball. I always played to be better than myself, to always exceed my goals, always getting better.

"Playing better, training better. To be the best in the world is a result of that work. If you speak of it today because my work is going well."

Neymar has enjoyed a prolific start to the current La Liga campaign, netting 14 times in 12 appearances as well as providing five assists.

The 23-year-old scored 39 times in all competitions last season as Barcelona won a memorable treble of trophies (La Liga, Spanish Cup, Champions League).