Wenger; Puyol Crown Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or Winner

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has backed Barcelona's Lionel Messi to win theBallon d’Or 2015 ahead of his Real Madrid rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi becomes the favourite ahead of his teammate, Neymar and Portugal captain, Cristiano Ronaldo

after helping his side to win five trophies, and the French man, who revealed last year that he isn't a fan of the award said the award belongs to the Argentine.

And Wenger, who has previously claimed that individual awards like the Ballon d’Or have the potential to “destroy careers”, believes Barcelona’s haul of five trophies in 2015 should make Messi the winner.

“I’m a big enemy of the Ballon d’Or,” said Wenger.

“It is certainly Messi who will win it, although I’m not a big fan of it.

Meanwhile, former Barcelona captain, Carles Puyol said: "You never know what might end up happening, but it would be a surprise and a huge injustice if Messi was not to win the Ballon d’Or .”

“It will be hard for any other player in the future to win five Ballon d’Ors, and Messi is not going to retire tomorrow so even if he wins (his fifth title) on Monday he can even add more to his name.”

The 37-year-old was also on hand to give his opinion whether Barca can do what no other side has done before, which is to win the Champions League two years in a row.

"It is difficult, for sure, because you never know when you might have a bad day or injuries, but if any team can do it, it is this one.”