TEHRANTIMES - FIFA Football Committee member Ali Daei says that Barcelona striker Lionel Messi will most likely win the 2012 FIFA Ballon d'Or.

Messi along with Real Madrid striker Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates Xavi and Andres Iniesta are seen as the favorites to win the prestigious individual award following their impressive performances in 2012.

“Honestly, Ronaldo is a great player but I think we have the players like him in the world but you cannot find any player like Messi, or Xavi and Iniesta. I voted for Messi and Barcelona duo midfielders. I love their football. Also, I became a Barcelona fan since Guardiola was appointed as the team’s head coach,” Daei said in an interview published on Friday.

“Mourinho is one of the world’s top three coaches but I don’t like his character. He has won trophies everywhere he has worked. I preferred to choose Guardiola, however he has a little chance to win the award since he has been without a team about six months,” the current Rah Ahan coach said.  

Daei is world's all-time leading goalscorer in international matches. He scored 109 goals in 149 games for Iran.