Team Messi, Team Ronaldo or Team Neymar - who are the football greats picking for the Ballon d'Or?

The 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or will be contested by Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano RonaldoAs the curtain rises on 2016, the 11th of January brings us another Ballon d’Or ceremony, where the greatest footballer of the last 12 months is crowned in Zurich’s grandiose Kongresshaus. This edition is being competed by the magnificent trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Cristiano Ronaldo.The announcement of the Ballon d’Or shortlist on the 30th of November prompted furious debate as the entire footballing fraternity argued and quibbled over who was the best player in 2015. It hasn’t just been your average punter in a pub who’s waxed lyrical about the qualities of Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo, but football’s greatest personalities have also waded into the waters, voicing their pick for the 2015 Ballon d’Or.We take a look at who’s publically backing whom, with the three candidates forming clearly demarcated camps.

#1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Cristiano Ronaldo won the award last year and celebrated in ‘vocal’ fashion

The highest goalscorer of the calendar year, Cristiano Ronaldo is a statistically obvious choice, having plundered 54 goals and assisting 17 strikes in an astonishing 2 months for the Portugues superstar. A slight negative against Ronaldo is that 28 of those strikes (over half his goals) have come in eight games against minnows.

With the voting taking place as Ronaldo underwent a relatively fallow period as the 2015/16 season progressed, the Ballon d’Or incumbent’s chances of reclaiming the award seem a bit unlikely. However, this has not prevented some sporting personalities from unveiling their ‘Team Ronaldo’ status.

Ronaldo has a bit of an unfair advantage when the ceremony begins, as host James Nesbitt is a Manchester United fan and is clearly rooting for the Portugues star. The actor, who was cast in ‘The Hobbit’, revealed his intentions to lure Ronaldo back to Manchester United, saying, “I'm taking a shirt with Ronaldo's name and number on it, and hopefully he'll put it on and get on the plane back with me.”

The Portuguese star also has the support of a former Portuguese legend in Luis Figo. The stylish midfielder preceded Ronaldo as Portugal’s talisman and won the Ballon d’Or award in its previous incarnation in 2000, as the FIFA World Player of the Year.

Speaking to Spanish news agency Efe, Figo called on Ronaldo’s statistical superiority to triumph, saying, “They are three magnificent players. If the logic about how trophies go to winning teams prevails, the trophy will be for a Barcelona player. But if those who vote single out individual numbers, such as goals scored, Ronaldo could win.”

Ronaldo also can call on support from legendary German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Well, if Ronaldo needs any support, that is; Kahn referenced Ronaldo’s amazing self-belief when voicing his pick for this edition of the Ballon d’Or, saying “I think Ronaldo will win again, a man who calls himself the world’s best player – and who can blame him?”

Figo and Kahn are backing Ronaldo in this year’s Ballon d’Or

Ronaldo also has support throughout the world, who have opined that Real Madrid’s weaker supporting cast and Ronaldo’s fitness should be reasons for why he wins the award.

Swiss International Pirmin Schwegler picks Cristiano Ronaldo as his Ballon d’Or winner, using Real Madrid’s reliance on him as a reason. In an interview with FIFA.com, he said, “It’s such a tough decision to make this year. I think it’ll be Cristiano Ronaldo, because I think he plays for the weaker team compared to the other two. There’s no doubt that they’re both at an extremely high level, but for me Barcelona have the better team and Ronaldo makes such a difference at Real Madrid.”

Similarly, Ronaldo also has support from former Real Madrid player and 2010 FIFA Puskas Award winner Hamit Altintop. The Turkish international claimed that Messi’s injury should mean that Ronaldo takes the Ballon d’Or award, saying, “I don’t think Lionel Messi’s got as much of a chance now because of his injury. I think Cristiano Ronaldo is just a little bit ahead of Messi because he hasn’t had any injuries.”

#2 Neymar Jr (Barcelona)

Neymar has previous when it comes to winning awards at the annual FIFA gala, winning the Puskas award in 2011

The Brazilian forward was widely tipped to eventually occupy hallowed company when he made his debut for Santos at the age of 17. Just 6 years later, Neymar has completed an astonishing rise, and is now justifiably one of the world’s best players, haing scored a staggering 41 goals with 16 assists for Barcelona in the last calendar year.

The case for Neymar being a strong candidate can be made on the significance of his goals. The Brazilian is the only player to have ever scored in the final and subsequently win two of the largest continental club competitions in the world, the Copa Libertadores and the UEFA Champions League.

With Neymar being a first-time nominee for the award, those that are voicing there support for him are doing so with the future in mind. While he may not be favoured to lift the trophy this year, his compatriot and former Ballon d’Or winner Kaka feels that Neymar is destined to win the award sooner rather than later, saying “Neymar has improved a lot since he’s gone to play in Europe. His game is a lot more mature. Now it’s a matter of time until he takes first place.”

Neymar’s current manager for his national side, Dunga is pulling no punches however, clearly stating that he believes Neymar is the best, saying, “It's Neymar's moment.”

“Although they are all equally matched. It's not that Ronaldo is not playing well, it's that he's not on the same form as last year. Messi was doing well but got injured, and Neymar is flying – he has taken up the role of team leader. I think it's his time.”

Brazil’s legendary trio are all pulling for their fellow countryman Neymar to win

While Neymar has enjoyed a breakout season, there are those who are tipping the Brazilian to be a certain winner in the next few years. A couple of legends from his homeland feel that the Ballon d’Or is in his destiny.

“Neymar will win the Ballon d'Or in one or two years. Whenever I’m asked about Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, I always answer: ‘Neymar is the best,’ not just because of his goals but because of the ease with which he plays,” said legendary Brazil left-back Roberto Carlos in an interview with Brazil newspaper O Globo Esporte.

‘O Fenomeno’ Ronaldo, winner of three Ballon d’Or trophies, is also tipping Neymar for future success, while opting for his Barcelona teammate in this year’s competition. Speaking to Reuters, Ronaldo said, “I would bet on Neymar winning the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2016. I think he’s still growing a lot and I think the growth of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has reached its peak.”

“I really want Neymar to win and break up the era of Ronaldo and Messi, but I think this year it will be between the two of them again.”

Neymar also has support from abroad in the form of Andriy Shevchenko, who is part of the ‘Neymar-is-the-future-bandwagon’, saying, “I think next year, Neymar and Luis Suarez will have a chance as they play in the same team of course. Its interesting that Barcelona have this trident of Neymar, Messi and Suarez playing together.”

Former Italian striker Alessandro Del Piero also gave credit to Neymar for his performances in Messi’s absence, saying “Next year Neymar could win it, this year he stepped up his game and played with a big heart when Messi was injured. I think his time will come.”

#3 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Lionel Messi is ever-present on the Ballon d’Or stage, with many tipping him to reclaim the award from Ronaldo this year

Lionel Messi is arguably the best footballer on the planet, and just finished his most complete year, with a five trophy haul last season. The Argentine scored a staggering 51 goals for club and country in the calendar year, while being involved in a total of 77 goals in the whole of last year, the most of any player.

Messi is vying for his fifth Ballon d’Or and is widely expected to end Cristiano Ronaldo’s run of two consecutive trophies. The Argentine has raised his levels to astonishing heights this season, and is capable of breathtaking moments, such as when he left Jerome Boateng floundering and chipped Manuel Neuer in the Champions League semifinal win over Bayern Munich.

Messi has support from many Barcelona teammates, both past and present. Unsurprisingly, having seen the Argentine work wonders in close quarters, Messi has a number of greats that believe he should win this edition of the Ballon d’Or.

Xavi is Messi’s chief cheerleader, saying “There’s no comparison in my book – Messi 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.”

Fellow striker Luis Suarez reckons that Messi is an obvious choice, saying “We understand each other very well out on the pitch. Both Neymar and I know Lionel Messi is the best in the world. Everyone knows that, and we respect that!”

Former Ballon d’Or nominee Andres Iniesta told Barca TV, “He (Messi) has a great chance of regaining the Ballon d'Or, for what he is as a player and for what he does.” While Carlos Puyol also picked Messi as his choice, saying “I think the difference between Messi and Ronaldo is that Messi has had a fantastic year. Barcelona won everything and Leo was the key player in everything and so for me he is the best and deserves the Ballon D’or.”

Former striking partners Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho all tipped Messi to win the Ballon d’Or. Eto’o was quiet clear with his prediction, saying “First place will be for Messi, Neymar will be second and then Cristiano Ronaldo will be third.”

Henry was for more gushing with his praise, saying “All we can do is enjoy what he does. Because what he’s doing is not normal. We used to say that a player who got 23-25 goals in a season was an incredible striker. But Messi does that in three months. I think it would be madness if he doesn’t win the Ballon d’Or. He deserves it because the team won another treble.”

Ronaldinho also tipped Messi to win, saying “Lionel Messi has been playing at the highest level for many years now, its difficult to single out a single individual moment. He keeps on winning titles for Barcelona, thats why he is number one.”

The Barcelona trio oversaw Messi’s rise to stardom

Messi can look outside Barcelona’s walls for support as well, as many former legends believe the Argentine forward is deserving of the Ballon d’Or this year. The 1990 winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year, Lothar Matthaus feels that Messi is the obvious choice, saying “His goal tally, spectacular play and the successes he has celebrated with Barcelona speak for themselves. For me it would be a huge surprise if Messi didn’t win.”

Edgar Davids also had his say, opining “If he’s fit, most of the time it’s Messi. But he is an anomaly. The rest will have to wait until he falls off a little bit.”

Messi isn’t short of admirers from players of other nations as well, with those such as Morrocan international Younes Belhanda voicing their admiration, saying “I’m a big fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, but to be honest Lionel Messi deserves it this year considering his successes with Barcelona in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League. He also reached the Copa America final with Argentina. He definitely deserves the title!”

Swiss star Xerdan Shaqiri is known as the ‘Messi of the Alps’, but left no one in doubt about who he thinks will win, saying “Messi has now won the UEFA Champions League again and delivered some fantastic performances in the final stages of the tournament. We’ll see who wins, but I think Lionel Messi will have the edge.”

Finally, we leave it to Messi’s prime rival himself, Cristiano Ronaldo, “To be honest I think Messi is going to win this year because this kind of trophy, it depends on votes,” said the Portuguese star while making an appearance on ‘The Jonathan Ross Show’.