The Barca centre-back believes the Portuguese is the front-runner to lift the prize, though he insists his club-mate will leave a greater legacy.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or but Lionel Messi remains the greatest player in history, according to Barcelona team-mate Gerard Pique.
The Real Madrid star led Zinedine Zidane’s side to La Liga and Champions League success last season, while Messi ended the 2016-17 campaign with only the Copa del Rey to his name.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Champions League and the League,” Pique said to Qatar television show One. “So he is a favourite.
“Lionel Messi is still considered the best player in history, though, and then there are other options.”
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