Will the winner come from Barcelona?
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta hopes that one of his teammates will win the 2011FIFA Ballon d’Or.
Lionel Messi and Xavi Hernandez made it to the shortlist, together with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, but Iniesta says he is backing his colleagues.
“The three that are there are the best three,” admitted Iniesta.
“But I have two colleagues and I will be happy if the winner is one of them.”
Iniesta made the top three for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d’Or with Messi and Xavi, and the award was eventually won by the Argentine.
However, Iniesta boasts the record of scoring the winning goal for Spain at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and hopes his country will defend their European Championship.
“2012 will be an exciting year. Spain have a big challenge at Euro 2012, and Barcelona have a season that will also be exciting,” Iniesta said.
The 27-year-old has battled with a hamstring injury during the first half of the 2011/12 season, but he hopes he will regain his full fitness soon.
“I’m fine. I’m trying to enjoy the holidays with the family, turning off a bit,” he said.
“I am also thinking a bit about my leg, although it is not important and I hope to be fit again very soon.”
Barcelona will resume their campaign on January 8 when they take on neighbours Espanyol.