Toni Kroos - Messi did not deserve Ballon D'or second place

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos feels that his compatriot, Manuel Neuer is presently better than Barcelona Start Lionel Messi and should have come second in the Ballon d'Or vote behind Cristiano Ronaldo, rather than Messi.

The Argentina international amassed 15.76 per cent of the votes to narrowly pip the Bayern Munich shot-stopper - who collected 15.72% - to second place but Kroos argues that Messi did not deserve to finish ahead of the World Cup winner.

"It’s surprising and a little unfair that Neuer finished behind Messi," the Madrid man told Sky Sport News.

"I thought it would be a close call between Manuel and Cristiano.

"Neuer was the best goalkeeper by a long way and Cristiano was the best outfield player. It was between the two of them, really.

"Manuel would have been a worthy winner but Cristiano deserved it, too." (Goal)