Toni Kroos: Messi's Ballon d'Or is absolutely not deserved!

Lionel Messi defeated

in the race to win this year's Ballon d'Or award. The Argentine icon secured the prize for the seventh time in his career after winning the Copa del Ray and Copa America trophies.

However, several footballing figures have criticized the awards for selecting Messi over other candidates. After Lothar Matthaus and

, Toni Kroos has now given his verdict on this year's Ballon d'Or.

"It's absolutely not deserved,"

Kross said on his

.

"There is no doubt that Messi, with Cristiano [Ronaldo], has been the player of the last decade, but this year there should've been others ahead of him."

Asked who should have won the award, the German midfielder responded:

"For me, Karim would have been the number one if you were really looking for the best individual player of the last year, because I can see from close quarters what an outstanding footballer he is,

"When I see how many decisive goals Cristiano has scored lately - Manchester United are still in the Champions League thanks to him alone - then, in my eyes, Cristiano would have also come before Messi."

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