I want to win Ballon d'Or someday, says Neymar

FC Barcelona striker Neymar da Silva Santos Jr has expressed a desire to win the Ballon d'Or one day, adding that he is not in a hurry to do so.

"To win the Ballon d'Or is something that I've set as a goal, it would be a personal victory. But I'm not in a hurry," the Brazil star told Russian publication Sport-Express.

"Personal goals are not the reason I'm in football. I play for pleasure. I like to help my teammates and my team. If everything goes well, the individual awards will come." Ballon d'Or is presented to the best football player in the world for the year.

When Barca made an improbable comeback to defeat Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 6-1 in their Champions League round-of-16 second-leg match to win 6-5 on aggregate earlier this month, Neymar played an influencial role by scoring twice.

The former Santos man has been a key figure for his country as well. His performances helped Brazil become the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia earlier this week.

Speaking about his relationship with Messi and Ronaldo, Neymar said, "Relationships are important off the field, we are friends. On the field, we complete each other. Messi and I play on the wings, Suarez in the middle."

"Messi is a player that I've admired since I came to Barcelona. He's helped me since the moment I arrived. I've always admired his determination and attitude," he added.

Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won the Ballon d'Or, or its earlier version, every year since 2008.

--IANS

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