Last year, neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Lionel Messi lifted the Ballon d'Or, but this season one of them has a great chance of winning the coveted Golden Ball, according to Jose Mourinho.
Click through the gallery above to see images of Ronaldo and Messi's Ballon d'Or triumphs.
Both superstars have won the individual accolade five times during their illustrious careers, but in 2018 Luka Modric lifted the award ahead of Ronaldo, while Messi only finished in fifth place.
However, Mourinho believes the Argentine has a great chance to claim his sixth Golden Ball this year.
"Messi is having a phenomenal season and, with Juventus and Cristiano Ronaldo out of this fight (the Champions League), he knows that the Ballon d'Or is there waiting for him," Mourinho said, as quoted by Marca.
"When Messi has the ball and goes one on one, you're dead. There's no way to solve that problem.
"That's why I don't like to talk about individuals. The best way to stop him is as a team, creating a cage (for him)."
Mourinho also commented on Barcelona's chances to advance to the Champions League after being drawn against Liverpool.
"I would say they are a bit more of a favourite than Liverpool, but I also think it's 50-50," he added.
Read: Messi Reacts To Ronaldo, Juve UCL Elimination
Messi has won five Ballon d'Ors but last lifted the Golden Ball in 2015. This season, however, he has impressed with 45 goals and 22 assists in 43 appearances so far and could still lift the treble.
Ronaldo, meanwhile, has won the Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana, while scoring 26 goals and assisting 13 in 39 games in all competitions.
Do you think Messi is the favourite to lift this year's Ballon d'Or? Have your say in the comments section below.
