The Portuguese superstar may have won the last two Ballon d'Or trophies, but he should be nowhere near the podium when the 2015 prize is handed out Monday, writes Peter Staunton.
Lionel Messi will make a triumphant return to the stage at the FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony in Zurich on Monday. He will probably take home the Puskas Award for best goal too.
There is no doubt that the Barcelona No. 10 deserves to be crowned as the best player in the world following the two-year reign of Cristiano Ronaldo. Barcelona has been the best team since January, and Messi has been the best player.