Messi should win Ballon d’Or: Ronaldinho

Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho has tipped Lionel Messi to win the 2016 Ballon d’Or, but he is not yet convinced he has earned the title of the best of all time.

The 2002 World Cup winner played alongside Messi during his first seasons at Barcelona, before moving on to Milan.

And while Cristiano Ronaldo appears to be favourite to lift the prestigious award, Ronaldinho is backing the Argentine.

‘All the players have done a brilliant job, it is tough to choose,’ he told AS. ‘Ok, I will be honest with you, I am backing Messi!

‘I am delighted to see him happy, if he made the decision to come back to Argentina and he is happy so am I, because I am his friend.’

When it comes to his historical favourites, however, Ronaldinho cannot see further than two greats from Brazil and Argentina.

‘In the history of football I only look at Maradona and Pele. Both are world football greats,’ he said.  The former Selecao star went on to heap praise on Neymar, whom he also described as his ‘friend.’

‘He is my friend, and he is making history in the same club as I did and one day he will be the best player in the world,’ he affirmed.

‘Seeing him, Messi and Iniesta achieve what they are brings me great joy.’

Source: Goal