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Neymar: There's only one Ballon d'Or winner and it's Messi, not Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and not Cristiano Ronaldo deserves to win the Ballon d'Or, according to Barcelona star Neymar.

Ronaldo is the overwhelming favourite to win France Football's 2016 Ballon d'Or prize, which is announced next week, after helping Madrid win last season's Champions League.

Neymar, however, insists his Barca team-mate and five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi should receive the award after seeing the Spanish giants retain their LaLiga title.

"I don't know who will win, for me there is only one who's the best, that's Messi," Neymar told GOL.

"Ronaldo is a great player, he's world class and has been for many years and I respect him.

"But Messi is the one who deserves it, for me."