Madrid: Lionel Messi is hopeful that a Barcelona player will win the 2012 Ballon d`Or, and believes both Andres Iniesta and Xavi deserve the prestigious individual award.
The Argentine attacker netted an impressive 73 goals in all competitions in 2011-12, but he feels his team-mates are more deserving to win it because of their exploits at Euro 2012.
"There`s still a long way to go before we know the winner of the Ballon d`Or. We don`t even know the nominees yet. Those who are in charge of it will have to decide who wins it," Messi stated at a press conference.
"I would like it if the Ballon d`Or remains in the Barca dressing-room. Hopefully, Iniesta or Xavi can win the award. They would deserve it for everything they`ve done in recent years and at Euro 2012.
"The more Barcelona players are nominated for the Ballon d`Or, the better it is for the club."
Messi won the last three editions of the Ballon d`Or. Iniesta came in second in 2010, while Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo finished as runner-up in 2011.
Goal.com
First Published: Thursday, July 19, 2012, 10:22