Barcelona legend Xavi has admitted that Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and not his friend and former colleague Lionel Messi is favourite to lift the 2016 Ballon d'Or and be crowned the best player in the world at FIFA's annual gala in January.
Messi has won an unprecedented five Ballon d'Or awards, collecting the last trophy after an incredible 2015, but Xavi thinks that great rival Ronaldo has the edge this time around.
While Messi saw a diminished return by his own ridiculously high standards in 2016 as a result of fitness trouble, Ronaldo scooped a Champions League title and managed to win the first international silverware of his career as well.
"Cristiano has the numbers to win this year's Ballon d'Or, having won the Champions League and the Euros," Xavi, who finished third in the Ballon d'Or standings in 2010 and 2011, is quoted as saying by Goal.com after speaking at an event in Amsterdam.
"But I also think that it'll be very competitive, because Messi will be there, of course," he added.
Barça colleagues Luis Suarez and Neymar also remain in the mix this year. Suarez has enjoyed an incredible goal return, while Neymar has also beenfiring at club level and finally helped Brazil win a long awaited Olympic gold medal.
Arecent 90min pollput Suarez as the most deserving of theBarcelona trio with 70% of the vote. But even the specialUruguayan was unable to prevent the Catalans from slumping to a surprise 4-3 defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo on Sunday.
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