Real Madrid players are backing Barcelona star Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or this year.
Despite the arrival of current holder Cristiano Ronaldo at Real, both Gonzalo Higuain and Marcelo say Messi deserves to be named European Footballer of the Year.
Higuain said: "Today, the last winner of the Ballon d'Or is Cristiano, but this year Leo is going to win because Barca won the Treble. Undoubtedly, he is going to win this year."
And Marcelo added: "I think Messi will be the new Ballon d'Or because even though Cristiano has done well, to win the award it includes many things such as titles won."