Dani Alves Discusses Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Ballon d'Or Battle

Dani Alves has aimed a barb at Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo after claiming the three-time Ballon d'Or winner didn't deserve to make the three-man shortlist for this year's award alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar.  

Speaking on Cadena COPE's El Partido de las 12 show, the Barcelona defender insisted Ronaldo isn't enough of a team player to warrant his inclusion in the running for January's accolade (h/t Spanish daily Marca):

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Messi is the world's best, and Neymar, the second best. Cristiano Ronaldo is not deserving of being amongst the three Ballon d'Or finalists. The best player in the world should be someone who influences play to a greater extent, and not just someone who scores goals. People forget that this is a team sport.

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The comments come amid a swell of claims that the other member of Barcelona's in-form MSN trio, Luis Suarez, should have been included to complete a Blaugrana clean sweep of Ballon d'Or candidates.

Alves isn't the only Barca player to throw his support behind Suarez, either, after Messi proclaimed he wanted to see Suarez join him on the podium, per Jack de Menezes of the Independent: "I'd have liked to be on [the] Ballon d'Or podium with Neymar and Luis. Luis deserved it, but Cristiano also did well. We'll have a good time."

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Together, Messi, Neymar and Suarez formed a forward line that led Luis Enrique's side to Barcelona's first European and domestic treble since 2009. Their cohesion into one of the greatest attacking lineups ever has been seamless, and it is once again paving the way to more major silverware this season.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo failed to win a trophy with Real in 2015 despite his individual merits, and Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo believes Suarez deserved to win the award outright:

While Alves may be correct in asserting trophy hauls do tend to affect the voting process for the Ballon d'Or, it is an individual award above all, meaning one could win nothing and still impress enough to claim victory.

However, Suarez has taken a mature stance on his failure to make the final shortlist and is happy for team-mates Messi and Neymar, per Marca (via ESPN FC), which is, in a way, symbolic of their unselfish harmony and resulting success: "I am not angry about not being among the top three. I am aware of my potential. I am very happy to be able to help the team and to have two teammates among the finalists. I think Messi is first and Neymar second, without a doubt."

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The Uruguay international can certainly look forward to future potential Ballon d'Or contention, considering last term was just his first season at the Camp Nou.

If that beginning is anything to go by, the accolades will continue to present themselves and, by extension, so, too, will further recognition of his talents as being arguably the best in the world.