Paris Saint Germain and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed Spain’s Andres Iniesta to win the Ballon d’Or award ahead of favourites Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The trio are the final three nominated names for the honour which will be announced at an awards ceremony on January 7.
Ibrahimovic has backed Barcelona midfielder Iniesta for his leading role in Spain’s 2012 European Championships success where he was player of the tournament.
“I voted for Iniesta, because he won the European Championship in Poland and the Ukraine and was player of the tournament there. He’s also had an amazing year for Barcelona. I hope it goes to him,” Ibrahimovic said.
“You have to remember that Messi doesn’t score the goals all on his own, even if he is the best individual player in the world. Messi is a Playstation player and anyone who can’t see that doesn’t know anything about football. In my opinion he’s the big favourite to get his fourth Ballon d’Or, though I’d like Iniesta to win it.
“The criteria to win the Ballon d’Or vary a lot; it depends on how you judge it. What do you have to do to win it? Win the Champions League? Well, there isn’t a single Chelsea player among the three nominees. Iniesta won the Euros and Cristiano won the Spanish league.”