Lionel Messi tips Neymar, Mbappe, Suarez for 2018 Ballon d'Or award (Details, pics)

Barcelona star man Lionel Messi has mentioned Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Luiz Suarez as players that can challenge him and Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2018 Ballon d’Or award. Nobody has been able to split the Ronaldo and Messi stronghold for second place since 2010, only Andres Iniesta and Xavi finished second and third to their Argentinian team-mate respectively.

Despite their dominance in recent years, Messi believes himself and Ronaldo face a number of threats this time from the informed trio.

"There are many great players around today who can win the Ballon d'Or,' Messi told WorldSoccer Magazine."In recent years there have just been two, but now players like Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Luis Suarez can compete."

Neymar came closest to the pair when he finished in third position in 2015 and 2017 respectively and will pose another threat to the Messi/Ronaldo dominance. Since making a world record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain, Neymar has scored 28 goal in 27 appearances for the Parisians.

Neither Mbappe nor Suarez have made it into the top three before but both are worthy contenders with their goal scoring performance this season.

Mbappe has combined well with Neymar and Edinson Cavani for PSG this season, notching 15 times in 31 games, while Suarez has 19 in 33 for Barcelona matches so far this campaign.

In the last ten years, Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have won the Ballon d'Or between each other.

Both players have won five times each in the last decade.