Neymar is adamant that Lionel Messi merits The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2016 award. The 29-year-old Argentinian is among the final three candidates for the prize, along with Antoine Griezmann and perennial rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

And while Neymar knows the 31-year-old Portuguese winning the UEFA Champions and League and UEFA EURO this year gives him a good shout, he believes there’s only one deserving winner.

“I don't know who will win, for me there is only one who's the best – that's Messi," the 24-year-old Brazilian 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."

Messi and Neymar helped Barcelona win La Liga and the Copa del Rey this year. La Pulga has already scored 20 goals in 18 games for his club this season, while he netted eight goals in ten matches for Argentina in 2016, surpassing Gabriel Batistuta to become their all-time leading marksman in the process.

The Best FIFA Men’s Player will be crowned at The Best FIFA Football Awards™ ceremony in Zurich on 9 January 2017.