Jordi Alba: 'Lionel Messi will always be the best'

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.