4 reasons why Lionel Messi will win the Ballon d'Or 2019

FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga
FC Barcelona v RC Celta de Vigo - La Liga

Lionel Messi has a major chance of winning the Ballon d'Or this year ahead of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk. The Argentine is in the running to lift his sixth Golden Ball.

The 32-year-old is still going strong. Messi's start to the season was plagued with injuries, but he is now back to his exceptional best. La Pulga has scored eight goals in the league and is just behind Karim Benzema in the goal-scoring charts who has nine goals to his name.

Although the Barcelona captain did not secure a desirable end to the season, his numbers are very high when stacked up against the other two top contenders to claim the prize. Messi has hit peak form yet again and has the momentum which could see him replicate his personal best.

Here we take a look at 4 reasons why Leo Messi will lift the coveted prize on December 2 ahead of the likes of Ronaldo and van Dijk.

#4 Messi won the UCL Forward of the Year Award

FC Barcelona v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg
FC Barcelona v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final: Second Leg

Although the Argentine failed to deliver the UEFA Champions League, he was phenomenal for Barcelona. Messi led the Catalans to the semi-final stage of the competition but went crashing out as Liverpool proved to be extremely strong for the Catalans at Anfield.

The 32-year-old topped the goal-scoring charts with 12 goals to his name in the 10 appearances he made. He even set up three goals for his teammates to score. Messi picked up the UEFA Forward of the Year award for his exploits over the course.

His performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United were simply breathtaking and will be remembered for a long time to come. He was exceptional against Liverpool in the first leg as well, but there was nothing he could have done to save his side at Anfield.

In spite of being unable to win the competition, Lionel Messi was exceptional throughout the competition.

Also check out: La Liga La Liga fixtures La liga table 2019-20

#3 Lionel Messi won the Golden boot for a record sixth time

Messi with a record sixth Golden Boot
Messi with a record sixth Golden Boot

Lionel Messi's statistics on the domestic level are just unbeatable. The 32-year-old amassed 36 goals and registered 13 assists in 34 appearances he made for the Catalans in La Liga.

Messi lifted his sixth Golden boot for scoring 36 goals in the league. He beat Kylian Mbappe and Fabio Quagliarella who finished behind him with 33 and 26 goals respectively.

The Argentine with his exemplary performances throughout the league led his side to another La Liga trophy which is their 8th in 11 years. Messi bailed out Barcelona on various occasions all round the campaign and if not for his extraordinary numbers, the Blaugrana would have struggled to challenge for the title.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner consistently dominated the whole season. Messi throughout the season exhibited signs of greatness and oozed class as he reminded the world each weekend why he is branded the best player in the world.

#2 Won FIFA The Best Award

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 - Show
The Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 - Show

After losing out on UEFA Player of the year award to van Dijk, Messi won FIFA The Best Award for being the footballer of the year. The Argentine pipped his rivals Cristiano Ronaldo and van Dijk after garnering 46 rank points.

Despite failing to win the UEFA Champions League and the Copa America, Messi's personal heroics with Barcelona were enough to seal the victory in his favour.

Messi's numbers throughout the season were excellent. The Argentine produced an unreal season even by his own standards. This year has been one of the best for the 32-year-old since the record-breaking 2012 wherein he scored 91 goals in a calendar year.

Messi's personal achievements in the previous season include winning UEFA Forward of the Year and the Golden Boot. And on a collective level, Messi won the La Liga. All of this combined made his case stronger for FIFA The Best Award against his competitors by a close margin.

#1 Extraterrestrial numbers to back his claim

FC Barcelona v SD Eibar - La Liga
FC Barcelona v SD Eibar - La Liga

Lionel Messi has been in a league of his own for a while now. The man is not solely about goals. Be it scoring from set-pieces or open play, Messi is the go-to man for the Blaugrana.

Messi scored 51 goals in 49 matches, and also contributed 19 assists throughout all the competitions.

The Argentine apart from scoring goals has been topping the charts in terms of creativity, vision, ball distribution, dribbling and more. Messi created the most number of chances (105) and had the most number of average key passes per game (2.7). He even boasts one of the highest dribbling success rate (60%) and registered the highest number of assists in the league last season (13).

Even this season, La Pulga is on fire. Despite missing the initial months of the season due to injury, Messi is catching up. He has the momentum on his side to conquer everything possible this season.

There is absolutely no player in the world who had a better year than Messi on a personal level. Therefore, the player deserves to lift the Ballon d'Or and end the year on a high.

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Edited by Sai Teja