Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has said that he believes Lionel Messi deserves to win the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

The Argentinean will find out tomorrow if he has become the first man to win the accolade three years running since Michel Platini.

Pique has insisted that the 24-year-old attacker is the best in the world and should win the award for helping to turn Barcelona into "one of the best in history".

"It is clear, Messi, he has been playing at a high level for years. And Leo is the best in the world," Pique told Catalan daily La Vanguardia.

"He is driving this team to be one of the best in history. Thanks to him we have won many of the titles that we have in our windows.

"It is a pleasure to have him with us, he plays like when he was 13 years old, except now he does it in a professional way and before the best players. We just have to hope that he maintains this level for as long as possible."

Messi's rivals for the award are team mate Xavi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.