Messi is the Prime candidate for Ballon d'Or: Ronald Koeman

Ronald Koeman is backing Lionel Messi as the favourite to win his 7th Ballon d'Or this year. Argentina superstar Lionel Messi is the prime candidate for the 2021 Ballon d'Or, according to Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman. Messi was out of contention until Copa America and certainly emerged as the prime candidate after winning it this year. Messi walked away with the Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot awards last week. He beat his former Barcelona teammate Neymar to both accolades.

Also Read: Last 10 Ballon d'Or Winners List

"He is vitally important. For what he brings to the team, he's the captain and an example," the Barca boss told the club's official website. "His goalscoring has been brilliant despite a difficult start," Koeman added.

"He has shown time and again he is the best in the world. I know how much he wanted to win the Copa América and he has done it at last. Messi is the prime candidate for the Ballon d'Or after a great season and for me, he is the favourite."

To know more about this year's other top candidates and their Ballon d'Or Power rankings, read: Ballon d'Or 2021: Top 5 Contenders who could win it this year