Barcelona forward Neymar doesn't expect to beat Lionel Messior Cristiano Ronaldo to the 2015 Ballon d'Or, but he would be proud to join the two iconic stars on FIFA's shortlist.
The Brazilian favourite played a key role in Barca's treble-winning campaign and is likely to receive plenty of votes when the award is dished out at the beginning of next year. However, he isn't expecting to usurp Messi or Ronaldo—who have won four and three awards respectively over the past seven years—and is just happy to be in the conversation, as he told TV Globo (h/t Richard Arrowsmith of the MailOnline):
"Just being one of the three finalists would be a great achievement for me," said Neymar. "It would be a dream to find myself up there next to Messi and Cristiano. It would be a great honour."
Neymar has established a fantastic relationship with Messi and Luis Suarez at the Camp Nou, a front three who already rank among the best ever.
He is grateful toward Messi, a player many expected he would clash with when arriving from Santos in 2013, per Arrowsmith: "They said that we would fight and that he would not pass me the ball. But he welcomed me in an incredible way and, still today, who gives me more assistance in my career? For me, Leo is both a friend and an idol."
Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar's agent, recently told Vanessa Rodrigues of Goal.com that his client will win the greatest individual prize in football soon: "This year Neymar will feature among the three best players in the world. The award will then come naturally after that, perhaps this year or in 2016."
Neymar netted 39 goals across La Liga, Copa del Rey and the Champions League last season. He is an improving force, someone who has worked hard to fit in with Barcelona's expectations without sacrificing the natural craft of his game. The 23-year-old plays unselfish football like everyone else at the Camp Nou and has quickly hushed the doubters who saw a one-man team during his time at Santos.
The Ballon d'Or forces voters to consider both club and international form, though, which is where Neymar's chances begin to falter. His red card during the Copa America defeat to Colombia doesn't hold up against Messi, who led Argentina to the tournament's final without breaking sweat.
Neymar has played some excellent football for Brazil since the turn of the year—his goal and assist during the recent win over Peru standing out as a highlight—but he's still growing into the captain's role.
Although Ronaldo and Real Madrid failed to win any of the three main trophies, CR7 took the Golden Shoe prize with 48 goals in La Liga alone. This will always see him receive plenty of votes, but heading into the new season, Messi is currently the 1-9 favourite with Oddschecker.
The Argentinian still has numerous years of quality ahead of him at the age of 28. Ronaldo is heading toward his 31st birthday and can be expected to slow down before Messi. Neymar's dominance will most likely follow both players exiting the European game, either through retirement or to embark on a swansong elsewhere.
He is more than capable of winning the prize, but like so many born in the Messi/Ronaldo era, will have to wait his turn.
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