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Daniel Alves: 'Lionel Messi doesn't need Ballon d'Or'

Daniel Alves claims that Lionel Messi is still the world's best player whether or not he wins the FIFA Ballon d'Or later this month.

Barcelona defender Daniel Alves has said that Lionel Messi doesn't need the FIFA Ballon d'Or to be recognised as the world's best player.

The prestigious gong will be handed out later this month, with Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo the favourite, but Alves claimed that his teammate, who has scooped the prize a record four times, is still the planet's finest player.

"The Ballon d'Or thing is a little tiresome because it has been moved to a different playing field," Goal.com quotes the Brazilian as saying. "It has moved to the field of opinions and off the field of play. But if we look at the field of play, I think Leo, for as long as he is around, will push the rest into second place.

"Moving away from that, perhaps he has less chance. The winner will be the one who has had the best campaign, or the best publicity campaign.

"We are talking about the Ballon d'Or as if we were talking about politics. The one with the best campaign wins, not the one who plays the best football, the one who makes the most incredible runs or scores the most goals."

Barcelona are currently second in La Liga.

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Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona takes to the field for the La Liga match between Real Betis and FC Barcelona at Estadio Benito Villamarin on November 10, 2013
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona14111242142834
2Real Madrid1393128111730
3Atletico MadridAtletico148512181329
4Villarreal137422521425
5Athletic Bilbao146532013723
6Osasuna146441922-322
7GironaGirona146352018221
8Mallorca146351312121
9Real BetisBetis145541616020
10Real Sociedad145361111018
11Celta Vigo145362224-218
12Sevilla145361318-518
13Rayo Vallecano134451314-116
14Leganes143561319-614
15Getafe142751011-113
16AlavesAlaves144191524-913
17Las PalmasLas Palmas143381825-712
18Valencia122461219-710
19Espanyol133191226-1410
20Real ValladolidValladolid142391027-179


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