Ibrahimovic: Messi shouldn´t win Ballon d´Or

2 December 2012 15:00

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he is against the idea of Lionel Messi winning a fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or.

The Barcelona superstar, who has picked up the coveted award in the past three years, has once again been shortlisted alongside team-mate Andres Iniesta and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ibrahimovic was included in the initial list of 23 players, but did not make the final cut presented by FIFA and France Football earlier this week.

As captain of the Sweden national team, he is eligible to vote, but his recent comments suggest he will not back Messi for an unprecedented fourth crown.

"How many times has he (Messi) already won? Two, three?" Ibrahimovic told Telefoot.

"If the jury wants to be just a little more fair, they must give it to someone else this time."

This year's award will be presented on January 7 in Zurich.