Patrice Evra claims he is "sick of giving the Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi" as he hails N'Golo Kante or Jorginho as deserving recipients.
The Chelsea pair were both instrumental in delivering the Champions League to Stamford Bridge following Thomas Tuchel's arrival.
Jorginho would go on to help Italy win the European Championship, beating England on penalties at Wembley.
Despite that Messi, who joined PSG in the summer, is again the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or.
The Argentine already has a record six golden balls - and victory this year would set him further apart from the rest.
Messi helped his country win a first Copa America since 1993 in the summer, beating Brazil in the final.
It was the 34-year-old's first international honour and has him in contention to beat the likes of Kante, Jorginho, Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi won the most recent Ballon d'Or in 2019 after last year's ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic.
But Evra seemed to suggest the regularity with which he wins the individual accolade is becoming boring.
"In my opinion this Ballon d'Or is for Kante or Jorginho... I'm sick of giving it to Messi," said the Frenchman.
"What did he win last year? Okay, the Copa America. With Barcelona what did he do?"
Messi was unable to guide the Catalans to the LaLiga title but did help them win the Copa del Rey, seeing off Athletic Bilbao in the final.
The forward was forced to leave after the Spanish giants encounter financial problems and couldn't extend his deal.
Now in Paris Messi is coached by Mauricio Pochettino and playing alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
Pochettino was in no doubt that his new signing should again claim the Ballon d'Or following his exploits this year.
told El Partidazo de COPE : "The Ballon d’Or should go to Messi without any doubt.
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"And if I didn’t coach Messi, I would still say Messi. I answer with my heart. I always say what I feel. On the podium with him would have to be (Robert) Lewandowski and Cristiano."
Messi's first Ballon d'Or came in 2009 after he'd play a leading role in Barcelona's treble triumph under Pep Guardiola.
He would claim the award for a further three years making him the only man to win four on the bounce.
Since then he's won it in 2015 and 2019 with rival Cristiano Ronaldo winning five of his own during a similar timeframe.
