Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has added an opinion to the million dollar question of who is better between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, claiming his Blaugrana team-mate Lionel Messi is the best player in the world. According to Suarez, Messi deserves to win the Ballon d’Or despite growing consensus in the football world indicating Cristiano Ronaldo is the favorite.
However, Suarez admits Cristiano Ronaldo won trophies that could easily influence his stake at the highest individual football honour. Moreover, Lionel Messi’s season-end took a shock u-turn as he missed a penalty in the Copa America final and lost his third consecutive international final. The loss led to Messi announcing his retirement from International football.
However, the Uruguayan believes the Ballon d’Or is deserved to be won by the most influential player, who he feels Messi is, undisputably.
Also Read: Neymar picks ‘great’ Cristiano Ronaldo to win Ballon D’or
Speaking during his pre-season training, Suarez said, "It is true that [Ronaldo] won those trophies but for me there is no question that Leo is the best player in the world. Whether or not he wins that prize he is the best player by far. He has more of an effect on the game that anyone one else.
"He couldn't win a title [the Copa America] with Argentina but he has won so many titles with Barcelona and I think that he deserves the Ballon d'Or."
Barcelona’s last season top scorer further continued to talk about the upcoming season. As Messi revitalises after Argentina's Copa America final defeat against Chile and Neymar is focused on Brazil's Olympic campaign, Suarez is the only member of Barcelona's famous MSN in pre-season training ahead of the new season.
Nonetheless, the striker is unfazed over the disruption and seems ambitious as ever for the forthcoming season.
Read also: Didier Drogba feels that Cristiano Ronaldo deserves the Ballon d'Or
He added, "I'm training with some other teammates and guys from Barca B that I didn't know as well. We are preparing ourselves physically and getting ready for the season. I talk to Luis Enrique about the normal things that we talk about in pre-season, getting ready to try and achieve our objectives for this season.
"At Barcelona we are going to try as always to make history and win as much as possible."
Although Messi helped Barcelona retain their La Liga title and Copa del Rey cup, Real Madrid snatched the Champions League trophy from them last season. Messi scored 41 goals and provided 26 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions. Ronaldo, on the other hand, scored 51 goals and made 15 assists having played a game lesser than Messi.
Over the last eight years, Messi and Ronaldo have rivalled each other for the Ballon d’Or, with Messi winning his fifth one last year. This time though, it seems Ronaldo is favorite ever since a surprise EURO 2016 win.
