Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta is secretly hoping that club colleagues Lionel Messi or Xavi will pip club rival Cristiano Ronaldo for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or honour.
The Catalan pair were shortlisted for the prestigious gong alongside Madrid wizard Ronaldo, with the winner set to be named at a special gala event in Zurich on January 9.
"The three that are there are the best three," admitted Iniesta.
"But I have two colleagues and I will be happy if the winner is one of them."
Iniesta himself was nominated for the 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or, when Messi was eventually crowned as the winner.
The 27-year-old, who memorably scored the winner for Spain in their World Cup final clash against Holland last July, was giving his views at the Albacete Sports Gala, where he was awarded for Sports Excellence.
"2012 will be an exciting year. Spain have a big challenge at Euro 2012, and Barcelona have a season that will also be exciting," Iniesta said.
Iniesta, who hailed from Albacete, also revealed that he wished his home-town outfit could have played at the Nou Camp this season.
"I've never hidden my love for Albacete, the city and its people," he added.
"The Copa del Rey clash they now have with Atletico Madrid is very important and exciting, but the league [Segunda Division B] is important above all else this season."
The Barcelona attacking schemer, who suffered a hamstring strain during their 9-0 thumping of L'Hospitalet in the Copa del Rey in their final match of 2011, is confident that he will shake off his minor niggle once Barcelona conclude their traditional winter break.
"I'm fine. I'm trying to enjoy the holidays with the family, turning off a bit," he said.
"I am also thinking a bit about my leg, although it is not important and I hope to be fit again very soon."
Recently crowned FIFA Club World Cup champions Barcelona will resume their domestic duties against Espanyol on January 8.
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