Zlatan Ibrahimovic has praised Lionel Messi, saying the forward "lives for football," but believes Robert Lewandowski "deserved" to win the Ballon d'Or this year.

Messi, 34, had been tipped as the favorite heading into Monday night's glitzy ceremony, and he took home the prestigious award for a record seventh time, moving him two wins ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo's tally of five..

The Argentina international came out on top despite only lifting the Copa del Rey with Barcelona last season before departing the Camp Nou to join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Messi's success with at international level is likely what gave him the edge over the other candidates, with the iconic attacker racking up five goals and four assists to steer Argentina to Copa America glory.

However, Ibrahimovic has joined the likes of Toni Kroos and Iker Casillas questioning Messi's latest Ballon d'Or triumph and feels it was Lewandowski's time after an outstanding 12 months with Bayern Munich.

The Poland striker, who finished as runner-up behind Messi, scored 41 goals across a phenomenal Bundesliga campaign last term, breaking Gerd Muller's previous record which had stood for nearly half a century.

Asked whether he prefers Messi or Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic told Corriere della Sera: 'They are both very strong. 

'I say Messi also because we played together.'

On the relationship he has with ex-Barca team-mate Messi, Ibrahimovic added: 'Professional. 

'Leo lives for football. But Lewandowski deserved the Ballon d'Or this year.'

Robert Lewandowski looks on at Ballon d'Or ceremony
Robert Lewandowski missed out on the Ballon d'Or as Lionel Messi won for a seventh time (Picture: Getty)

At his press conference on Tuesday, Mauricio Pochettino hit back at the backlash Messi has faced since the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in Paris.

The PSG head coach passed on his congratulations to Messi and insisted there was 'no debate' that his fellow countryman deserved to win.

'Firstly, I want to publicly congratulate Leo and his family,' Pochettino told reporters.

'Winning the Ballon d'Or for a seventh time is an extraordinary achievement.

'I hope he takes advantage of it and that it's the first day to work on getting the eighth.

'To have players with six and seven Ballon d'Or awards is something extraordinary and we are delighted to have him here every day.

'We hope at the end of the year to also have collective trophies beyond the individual trophies.'