Pochettino also believes the runners-up will be Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 30-man shortlist for this year’s award was announced last Friday.
Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski all made the cut along others like Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Karim Benzema
But Pochettino still feels Messi is the best player on the planet.
When asked to name his winner for this year’s Ballon D’Or prize, Pochettino told El Partidazo de COPE on Wednesday night: “The Ballon d’Or should go to Messi without any doubt.
“And if I didn’t coach Messi, I would still say Messi. I answer with my heart. I always say what I feel.
“On the podium with him would have to be Lewandowski and Cristiano.”