The Barcelona boys are a little disappointed Luis Suarez didn’t make the final three for this year’s Ballon D’Or.
Speaking at the La Liga awards, Lionel Messi expressed his delight at making the cut, but admitted he felt his striking partner’s form warranted being shortlisted.
“I am happy to be once more among the three best, and to go to another gala. Happy to be with Neymar. Luis Suarez also deserved to be among the three best, but that is to take nothing away from Cristiano Ronaldo, who also deserved it.”
Barcelona superstar Neymar, who was also nominated for the prestigious prize alongside Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, was a little less sensitive towards Real Madrid’s talisman about stating the case for Suarez.
Speaking to beIN Sports, he said: “I believe that the image of the Ballon d’Or should have been Messi, Luis Suarez and me; I would have loved to be there all together. To be nominated for the Ballon d’Or means everything. It is an honour for me.”
Although he’s been tipped as a dark horse by many for the award, the Brazilian captain believes it’s a one-horse race this year.
“Messi is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for the season he had. For me, he is the number one.”
