The Argentina international faces competition from Xavi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Iranian football legend believes that Messi is the best player in the world at the moment.
“I like Barcelona more since Messi plays for the team. In my opinion, he deserved to win the FIFA Ballon d'Or for the third time in a row,” the current Rah Ahan coach said on Monday.
Daei is world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches. He scored 109 goals in 149 games for Iran.
Daei, who attended the ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland, will return to Iran on Tuesday.
The winner of the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or will be announced on Monday at the Kongresshaus in Zurich.
Former France international and current UEFA President Michel Platini won the Ballon d'Or for three consecutive years from 1983.