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Stoichkov: No Ballon d'Or competition for Messi

1994 Ballon d'Or winner Hristov Stoichkov believes Lionel Messi has no competition for this year's title.

Former Barcelona forward and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year runner-up Hristo Stoichkov believes there is no one capable of competing with Lionel Messi.

The Argentine forward has enjoyed another stellar 12 months with Barcelona, helping the Spanish side to La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey titles and is tipped as the favorite to take out this year's Ballon d'Or award on Monday.

Stoichkov played for Barcelona in two separate stints and took out the European Footballer of the Year award in 1994, while also finishing runner-up in what is now known as the Ballon d'Or to Marco van Basten in 1992 and Romario in 1994.