The Argentina superstar has been named in the top three of the Ballon d’Or, along with team-mate Neymar and long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, much to Dani Alves’ pleasure
Barcelona defender Dani Alves believes Lionel Messi will win the 2015 Ballon d’Or by a significant margin.
The Argentine superstar has been named in the final three ahead of the awarding of the prize in Zurich next month, along with Barca team-mate Neymar and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Alves has already suggested that Ronaldo does not deserve to be in the top three with his club colleagues, and has backed Messi to comfortably claim the award for a fifth time.
The Brazilian told TVE: “I see Messi winning his fifth Golden Ball – and with a big advantage.
“He is far ahead of everyone, particularly in the influence he has on the team. The best players in the world do not have to be individualistic.
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“Our team was strong before Messi’s injury but he has come back and proven to be competitive far beyond the other players on the pitch.”
Barca won a remarkable treble in 2015-16, collecting a La Liga title, the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, and Alves admits the club are aiming to make history this season.
Luis Enrique’s side have already won the Uefa Super Cup this term and, with the club also set to enter the Club World Cup, Alves has boldly claimed that they are looking to complete an unprecedented clean sweep.
“We want to return into the history of football this season,” the Brazilian said. “That is the objective that is there.
“This year it is our challenge to make history, to do something unique.
“We are competing well and we are in a sweet moment. But like [Barcelona coach] Luis Enrique says, we can always improve.
“Harder games will come.”
(Goal)
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