Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi are still a cut above Neymar: Xavi

Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar have been shortlisted for the prestigious award and the winner will be announced on January 11.

New Delhi: Ahead of the next month's FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala, wherein the world's best football player will be announced, Spain legend Xavi Hernandez provided his take on the pecking order on who should win the award.

Xavi, in an interview with FIFA, said that Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are still still a cut above Neymar. But the former Barcelona talisman feels that Brazilian forward, like Luis Suarez will soon catch up with the Ronaldo and Messi.

"Cristiano and Messi are still a cut above, but other players can come into it too, like Neymar and Luis Suarez," Xavi said.

Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar have been shortlisted for the prestigious award and the winner will be announced in the Ballon d’Or Gala on January 11, in Zurich.

In the same interview, the World Cup winner said that his former team-mate Messi is the clear favourite to win the award this year.

The Argentine has won the award four times to Ronaldo's three, with the Real Madrid star voted the best player in the world in the last two years.

"I think Leo is the clear favourite now, and he deserves it too for everything he’s achieved at Barcelona.

"There’s no comparison in my book. He has total command of every aspect of the game. He’s the best at everything and he shows that in every match. He deserves this Ballon d’Or," he added.