Pique tips Messi for Ballon d´Or glory

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique firmly believes that team-mate Lionel Messi deserves to win the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or.

The Argentina international faces competition from Barca team-mate Xavi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pique believes Messi is the top candidate to win the prestigious award.

“It is clear, Messi, he has been playing at a high level for years. And Leo is the best in the world,” Pique told La Vanguardia newspaper.

“He is driving this team to be one of the best in history. Thanks to him we have won many of the titles that we have in our windows.”

“It is a pleasure to have him with us, he plays like when he was 13 years old, except now he does it in a professional way and before the best players. We just have to hope that he maintains this level for as long as possible.”

Messi, who won the award last year and is in line to become the first man since Michel Platini to win the Ballon d’Or three consecutive years, played a major role in Barcelona’s Champions League and La Liga titles.

The winner of the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or will be announced on Monday at the Kongresshaus in Zurich.