Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola says Lionel Messi has no challenger for this year's Ballon d'Or.

He said: "If we look at last season, there can be no doubts - even if some say that other players will win it."

Messi has made it no secret that he is desperate to win the Ballon d'Or for 2009. The only doubt that could be raised is Argentina's World Cup qualifying campaign and Messi's failure to make an impact under coach Diego Maradona.