Dunga backs Neymar for Ballon d'Or

Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior gestures during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs UD Las Palmas at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on September 26, 2015
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Brazil boss Dunga says that 'now is the time' for Barcelona attacker Neymar to win the Ballon d'Or ahead of teammate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Brazil boss Dunga has claimed that Neymar deserves to win the 2015 Ballon d'Or ahead of Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo have been shortlisted for the award, which will be handed out on January 11 in Zurich.

Since 2007, Messi and Ronaldo have shared the prize, but Dunga has thrown his support behind Neymar, who played a key role in Barcelona's treble success last season.

"I voted Neymar. It's his time, but they're all on the same level. [Ronaldo] was fantastic last season, but he's not giving the same performances this season," Dunga told reporters.

"It's not that Ronaldo isn't playing well, but he isn't at the same level as last season. Messi was doing well until his injury, and Neymar is flying at the moment. He took the position of team leader [in Messi's absence]. I think it's his time."

The voting for the Ballon d'Or opened on October 26 and finished on November 20, during a period where Messi was on the sidelines and Neymar took centre stage for Barcelona.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona34254596296779
2Atletico MadridAtletico34254558164279
3Real Madrid342464101307178
4Villarreal34179842311160
5Athletic Bilbao341661251411054
6Celta Vigo34159104754-754
7Sevilla341310114742549
8Valencia341110134240243
9Malaga341012123131042
10EibarEibar34118154553-841
11Real Sociedad33118144144-341
12Real Betis341011133146-1541
13Las PalmasLas Palmas34117163846-840
14Deportivo La CorunaDeportivo34717104256-1438
15Espanyol34107173563-2837
16Rayo Vallecano34811154666-2035
17Sporting GijonSporting Gijon3488183555-2032
18Granada3379173360-2730
19Levante3377193056-2628
20Getafe3377192961-3228