PSG coach, Maurico Pochettino names his Ballon d’Or top three and winner

Paris Saint-Germain coach, Maurico Pochettino has named his Ballon d’Or top three candidates with Lionel Messi the favorite to win.

The 30-man shortlist for this year’s award was announced last Friday, with Chelsea’s Champions League-winning duo of N’Golo Kante and Jorginho, who has already won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.

But Pochettino feels Messi is the best player on the planet and should be crowned the winner, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski round off his top three.

Asked to name his winner for this year’s award, which will be revealed next month, Pochettino told El Partidazo de COPE on Wednesday night: ‘The Ballon d’Or should go to Messi without any doubt.

‘And if I didn’t coach Messi, I would still say Messi. I answer with my heart. I always say what I feel.

‘On the podium with him would have to be Lewandowski and Cristiano.’

He also said he is confident Paris Saint-Germain can convince Kylian Mbappe to stay despite being linked with Real Madrid.