Neymar pegs Ronaldo as Ballon d'Or favourite

Barcelona star Neymar has predicted that Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Ballon d'Or in six months time, and not the Brazilian's Blaugrana teammate Lionel Messi.

The world's highest individual honour, the FIFA Ballon d'Or is awarded each year to the best player among three nominees shortlisted for the distinction.

Messi has won the award five times to Ronaldo's three, but the Portuguese attacker has emerged as the favourite after leading A Seleccao to its first major tournament at Euro 2016. That title, paired with Madrid's record 11th Champions League win, puts the 31-year-old former Manchester United star in the driver's seat for the annual honour.

At least there's one world-class footballer that agrees.

"Ronaldo won the Champions League and now Euro 2016 as well," Neymar told reporters, courtesy of FOX Soccer.

"So I believe he is in a good position. Plus, Ronaldo is a great player. I have no qualms in saying that."

Last year Messi took home the award after besting Ronaldo and Neymar by virtue of another outstanding season. The Argentine received 41.33 percent of the vote after a list of 20 players was narrowed to three. Messi and Ronaldo have been among the three finalists each of the last five years.