Neymar tips Messi for the Ballon d'Or shortlist

• The Argentine was snubbed for FIFA's The Best award, not even included to the shortlist
• Neymar backs Leo for the top-3 of Ballon d'Or nominees
• Curiously he named Messi second, after Cristiano Ronaldo and excluded himself from the least

Neymar has been asked by Diario AS reporter whom he expects to be on the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or award after PSG emphatic win over Champions League minors, Red Star Belgrade.

After a short contemplation, the forward answered: "I would say, Ronaldo, Messi and Mbappe."

Interestingly, Neymar omitted himself from the short-list of nominees after an injury-laden season in France. On that night in the Champions League, Neymar, however, was brilliant, scoring two masterful free-kicks and a close-range goal in PSG's 6-1 win over Red Star.

Another stand-out moment in his answer it that he has named Messi second, after Cristiano Ronaldo and hasn't included FIFA The Best award winner, Modric, at all. Mbappe's inclusion is, of course, not at all surprising, given the fact he shined for France at the World Cup, helping his team to win the trophy and had a great season with PSG.

READ ALSO: Rakitic now backs Messi to win the Ballon d'Or: 'He is different to the others'

Will Messi win the Ballon d'Or this year?