Messi admits 1 World Cup triumph would trump 5 Ballon d'Ors

When it comes to personal accolades, Lionel Messi has won just about everything.

Yet it's the sport's biggest prize that's eluded the Barcelona superstar as the heartache from Argentina's World Cup loss to Germany in 2014 remains fresh in his mind.

Ahead of Monday's FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala, Messi - alongside nominees Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo - talked about the importance of winning the World Cup when asked to compare the trophy to being awarded football's top individual prize a handful of times.

"That's a very tough question," Messi said when asked if he'd prefer five Ballon d'Ors or one World Cup. "Obviously the World Cup is the highest that you can reach as a player, I would stick with that definitely."

German midfielder Mario Gotze ended Messi's dream during extra time in the final of the 2014 World Cup, meaning he'll have to wait until the 2018 edition of the tournament in Russia to fulfill his dream.