Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi has waded into the debate on which player deserves to win this year's Ballon d'Or award.

The French Football Magazine has shortlisted 30 players for the prestigious award, which will be announced in the next 12 days.

Among the leading candidates tipped to win the accolade are Real Madrid's duo of Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, and Manchester City's Rodri.

Messi, who won the award last year, believes his Argentine teammate Lautaro Martinez is the player who deserves to dethrone him.

“He had a spectacular year, he scored in the final, he was the top scorer in the Copa America. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else,” Messi said via Goal.

Martinez is among the 30 players who have been nominated for the award after his remarkable campaign with Inter Milan last season.

The 27-year-old registered 27 goals and seven assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for the Nerazzurri.

The Inter captain guided his side to the Scudetto title after netting 24 Serie A goals to clinch the Capocannoniere award.

He also netted five goals in last summer's Copa America tournament, including the only goal in the final to win La Albiceleste's second consecutive Copa America title.