Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Lionel Messi will be crowned the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner for a record fifth time later today.
The diminutive Argentine has made the top three list alongside team-mate Neymar and arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi has already won the prestigious award for a record four times, winning it four times in a row between 2009 and 2012, and has the chance to take his tally to a record five times.
Ronaldo is the current holder of the prestigious award and has won it three times in his career, and has the opportunity to equal Messi’s record tally with his third consecutive Ballon d’Or win.
Neymar has made it to the top three for the first time in his career, but looks unlikely to win the coveted prize ahead of Messi or Ronaldo, although the 23-year-old has shown the potential to challenge the duo for the award in the near future.
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Wenger was asked about who he believes will win the coveted award for 2015 and the 66-year-old was quick to pick Messi.
Wenger didn’t shy away from expressing his discontent at the importance given to an individual award in a team sport, but pointed out that Barcelona have been the best team in 2015, winning almost everything.
The Frenchman did, however, tip Neymar as a future serious contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Liverpool, Wenger said: “I am a big enemy of the Ballon d’Or.
“Who will win it, I know it as well as you do, Messi will win it.
“Yes, there was no national team competition, and Barcelona won absolutely everything.
“And when it has to be a Barcelona player, it has to be Messi.
“Neymar has started to show that he can be a contender in the near future.”
Barcelona won five trophies during 2015, which included La Liga, the Champions League, the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
The Ballon d’Or winner will be announced at a gala ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland later today.
