Who should win the Ballon d'Or?

Lionel Messi says Sergio Aguero, the Atletico Madrid forward, deserves to win the Ballon d'Or and Fifa World Player of the Year ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Barcelona winger is among the favourites for the award, although Ronaldo, the Manchester United winger, is the favourite to win. The Portuguese star has already said that he thinks he deserves both awards after scoring 42 goals last season and helping United to the Premier League and Champions League double.

However, Messi says Aguero, his compatriot, deserves to win.

"I would give [the awards] to Aguero," Messi said. "But Fernando Torres and Xavi would also be worthy of the awards, as would Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka and the other players included in the list.

"Ronaldo is a great player. Last year he was ahead of me in the Ballon D'Or and I was ahead of him in the World Player of the Year.

"It's going to be a great battle."

Ronaldo, who earlier this week won the FifPro World Footballer of the Year, said despite the competition, he had done enough two win.

"If you evaluate what each one did over the course of the season I believe I did more than everyone else," Ronaldo said. "What else do I have to do to win the Ballon d'Or and Fifa award?"

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by 96 journalists from around the world, while the Fifa award is voted for by international coaches and captains.