Thomas Muller: 'Ballon d'Or should go to a Bayern Munich player'

Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Muller has declared that a member of his all-conquering side has to be crowned this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or winner.

The Bavarian giants have swept all before them this season, winning the Bundesliga by 25 points before pipping Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in Saturday's Champions League final.

With a treble still in their sights, Muller thinks that a number of his Bayern teammates are deserving of the individual prize, which has been won by Barcelona forward Lionel Messi for the last four consecutive seasons.

The 23-year-old told Bild: "Several of our players certainly would deserve it.

"Actually, a Bayern Munich player has to be voted for the Ballon d'Or next."

Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger have all been mentioned as early contenders for the award, which was last won by a Bundesliga player in 1996.