Lionel Messi already deserves to lift a sixth Ballon d'Or regardless of whether he wins the Champions League with Barcelona or not, according to former Brazil striker Rivaldo.
Messi's Blaugrana side remain in European competition after seeing off Manchester United and are currently on course to secure another La Liga title, while a Copa del Rey final against Valencia also lies in wait.
The free-scoring Argentine would undoubtedly be amongst the favourites to lift football's greatest individual honour if he does finish the season with silverware, but Rivaldo feels that Messi is already worthy of the accolade.