Messi favored for fifth Ballon d'Or

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is targeting an unprecedented fifth Ballon d'Or award in Zurich on Monday, with the Argentine heavily favored to reclaim the prize from three-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Brazil striker Neymar, who plays alongside Messi at Barca, is also in the running to be crowned world player of the year after being named one of the three finalists.

Messi and Neymar, along with overlooked Uruguay star Luis Suarez, formed a formidable front three that lifted Barca to five trophies in 2015, including a second Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey treble in six seasons.