Ahead of Friday's big announcement, the Selecao icon says that the Argentina captain should be recognized for the key role he played in Barcelona's treble triumph last season.
Brazil legend Zico believes that Lionel Messi deserves to win this year's Goal 50, arguing that the Barcelona ace has usurped Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player in the world.
Ronaldo scored a personal-best 61 goals in just 54 games in all competitions last season, while he became Real Madrid's all-time leading scorer last month.
But Zico feels that Messi should be recognized for inspiring Barcelona's treble triumph in 2014-15, as well as leading Argentina to the final of this year's Copa America.