Sergio Ramos has thrown his support behind Lionel Messi ahead of today's Ballon d'Or ceremony.
The Argentine star is in the running to claim the prestigious gong for a seventh time and is the bookmaker's favourite to add to his six titles.
Ramos and Messi have gone from being fierce rivals from their days at Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively to team-mates following the pair's shock moves to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The defender was sent off twice for swiping out at the forward and also caught him with his elbow during their heated El Clasico tussles.
The duo started together for the first time for the Ligue 1 giants in a 3-1 victory at Saint-Etienne on Sunday after linking up earlier this year and Ramos has now backed Messi to be crowned the Ballon d'or winner again.
'Yes, of course [I hope he wins],' Ramos told ESPN.
'I'm going to defend the guys in my team. I wish him all the luck in the world.
'He's in good shape, and I think he's the kind of player who really makes a difference. He's a unique player and it's a privilege to have him in the team.
'I think that bit by bit, each of us is going to bring our own quality to make Paris Saint-Germain even greater and achieve the things we want to achieve.'
Messi scored 38 goals in 47 games last season, helping guide Barcelona to the Copa del Rey before winning the Copa America with his country this summer. He has scored four goals and supplied three assists in 11 matches for PSG this season.
Messi leads the way ahead of Bayern's Lewandowski, who was harshly denied the award last year after it got cancelled, while 14 players from the Premier League have been nominated.
