Lionel Messi picked out the players who he believed would be in contention for the Ballon d'Or award he has won eight times.

Lamine Yamal has experienced a meteoric rise over the past several months, becoming Barcelona ’s most influential player and a serious Ballon d’Or contender. In that context, Pep Guardiola addressed the Spanish winger and the comparisons to Lionel Messi.

Just 17 years old, Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal is already one of the mainstays of the Spanish national team.The teenage sensation was the star of the show for La Roja last summer as they won the