Forget Messi and Ronaldo! Neymar deserves the #Ballon d'Or prize and here's why

Neymar scored 24 goals in the second half of Barcelona's treble-winning 2014/15 season, and he has become an even more prominent figure during Messi's recent injury absence. The Brazilian tops the Spanish scoring charts with 14 La Liga goals this season, and while Sky Bet make him the third favourite to win the award, Balague thinks he is well placed to usurp Ronaldo.

I do feel Neymar is more influential these days," Balague said. "It was noted when Messi got injured for two months, but generally in the last 12 months you've got one of the few players in the world who can beat defenders, whose pace is electrifying, and who not only scores but assists as well. He's got everything to be the second best player in the world."

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