Ballon d'Or 2019: Football's best players pick their winner for the coveted award this year

#3 Cesc Fabregas (Pick: Lionel Messi)

Chelsea v Sunderland - Premier League

Monaco midfielder Cesc Fabregas has picked his fellow La Masia graduate Lionel Messi as the favorite to win the 2019 Ballon d'Or at the end of the year but believes one of Liverpool's players will surely make it to the podium as well.

While Messi has had a scintillating individual season, Liverpool enjoyed a spectacular title-winning season which saw lift a major trophy for the first time since 2005. The Reds won the UEFA Champions League over Tottenham Hotspur after a domestic season that saw them finish only a single point behind eventual winners Manchester City.

On his Ballon d'Or favorite, Fabregas said, "It is very difficult, it might depend on who won the Champions League. Normally, these trophies are appointed to people who win big things. I think Messi won it in 2010 when they only won the league so it is definitely doable."

"I think it is if it is all about who is the best, then Messi is the best. No doubt about it."

"I think Liverpool have had a fantastic season, though. Potentially one of their players could be on the podium, for sure."