Monday 11 January 2016 19:15, UK
Lionel Messi insists he would swap all of his Ballon d'Or titles to win the World Cup.
The Argentina forward is up for this year's award alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona team-mate Neymar, having already won the individual gong in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
But after defeat in the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil against Germany, Messi says he would sacrifice his individual awards for an elusive victory in football's biggest team competition.
He said at the Ballon d'Or press conference in Zurich: "That's a very tough question. Obviously I would [rather] win the World Cup. I've always said the team achievements are more important than individual ones.
"The World Cup is the highest you can reach as a player, so I'd go for the World Cup, definitely."
The Barcelona forward, who scored a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Granada on Saturday, has 18 goals in all competitions this season.
And after a triumphant year with the La Liga champions in 2015, where Luis Enrique's side won five major trophies, Messi focused more on the team's success than any individual recognition.
He said: "Just to be here is a pleasure. It's a beautiful thing. If I win it or the others win it, it is all the same in that sense.
"Every year I try to do my best and better than the previous year, to beat my previous self. Last year thankfully we managed to reach almost all of the goals, had an amazing year, and it filled us with pride.
"Thankfully our year was full of happiness and victories. Throughout the year we had special moments all the time."
Go On Demand for Sky Sports' dedicated Ballon d'Or event box, including video content for each of the nominees and past winners
