Former Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov believes the club's current attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez should all be on the 2015 Ballon d'Or podium -- ahead of 2013 and 2014 winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi is the favourite to regain the award he has previously won four times, with teammate Neymar also tipped to be among the top three after a fine run of form during the opening months of the 2015-16 campaign.
Ronaldo has not been at his best for Real Madrid so far this season, but is still expected to see off other challengers including Barca's Suarez and Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski for a place at the ceremony in Zurich on Jan. 11, 2016.
Stoichkov, a 1994 Ballon d'Or winner, said on RAC, 1, in quotes picked up by Marca, that Barca's big three attackers should all have a place on the podium after helping their side win the Treble last term.
"Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez is how the Balon d'Or podium should look in January," Stoichkov said. "Now that [currently suspended FIFA president Sepp] Blatter is not there, they cannot manipulate the voting. We must be realistic. Barcelona won all the trophies last year. If others won nothing, why should they be there?"
The 23-man long-list, drawn up by the FIFA Football Committee and a group of experts from France Football, was published on Oct. 20.
The voting period for the awards is due to close at midnight on Nov. 20 -- meaning performances in Saturday's Clasico between Madrid and Barca would come too late for consideration.
However, should less than two-thirds of all potential jury members have cast their votes during the allotted time, FIFA and France Football may extend the voting period by one more week.
On Nov. 30, the top three Ballon d'Or candidates will be announced, along with the names of those still in contention for the women's Ballon d'Or award, the coaches awards and the Puskas Award for goal of the year.