Ribery & Ronaldo deserve Ballon d'Or - Xavi

Barcelona star Xavi has admitted that Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery both deserve the Ballon d'Or.

Blaugrana attacker Lionel Messi has dominated the award in recent years and though the Spaniard is adamant that the 26-year-old is still the best player in the world, he feels his team-mate could lose out this year.

"Ribery and Cristiano deserve to win the Ballon d'Or, but there's no doubt that the best player now, and of all-time, is Messi. In any case, I don't vote," he told reporters.

Barca were beaten 7-0 over two legs by Bayern in last season's Champions League semi-finals and Xavi is eager for revenge against the Bavarians.

"I hope that if we play each other again we can be more competitive than last year. Obviously we recognise that they are the favourites."

Spain defend their World Cup crown in Brazil next summer and the veteran midfielder has ackowledged that the hosts will provide stiff opposition.

"We’re looking forward to it. We know it will be difficult and especially against the hosts Brazil, who are big rivals, as we saw in the Confederations Cup. We'll try to regain our title."

'I'll be happy whether or not I win Ballon d'Or' - Ribery

Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery insists he will be happy whether he wins the Ballon d'Or in January or not.

The French winger, who is on the shortlist along with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid, is being tipped to take the crown by some after a stellar year which has seen him win the UEFA Champions League, as well as being named the UEFA Best Player in Europe.

But Ribery admits he is happy to have made the top three and will be satisfied whatever the outcome.

"Whether I win or not I will still be happy," he said. "To me it is a pleasure to be on the shortlist of candidates with Cristiano and Messi.

"This year I have won everything with Bayern and I think I helped a lot.

"I'll see what happens January 13. The important thing is to keep coming with this run of success."

Speaking about the atmosphere at Bayern, Ribery added: "The key is that we enjoy playing. We're like one big family. Bayern I think is the strongest club in the world.

"German football is like a train that will not stop and we're so proud of it."

Bayern currently sit seven points clear of Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga - which is in the midst of a mid-season break.