Barcelona defender Jordi Alba has claimed that Lionel Messi will remain the world's best footballer regardless of how he fares in the FIFA Ballon d'Or stakes next month.
The Argentine - a four-time winner of the award - faces stiff competition in the form of Franck Ribery and Cristiano Ronaldo for the world's most coveted individual prize - the latter of whom is currently the favourite due to his 69 goals in the calendar year.
He told reporters: "I don't know who will win the Ballon d'Or but I don't care, Lionel is still the best in the world."
The winner of the gong is scheduled to be announced at a ceremony in Zurich on January 13.
