5 things Lionel Messi needs to do to win the 2021 Ballon d'Or

Can Lionel Messi win a seventh Ballon d'Or this year?
Can Lionel Messi win a seventh Ballon d'Or this year?

#3 Lionel Messi should win the domestic double

FC Barcelona v Sevilla: Copa del Rey Semi Final Second Leg
FC Barcelona v Sevilla: Copa del Rey Semi Final Second Leg

After struggling earlier on in the season, both Lionel Messi and Barcelona seem to finally be hitting their stride under Ronald Koeman. They have turned their form around domestically and even though they crashed out of the UEFA Champions League, they could yet walk away with two trophies at the end of the season.

After Ousmane Dembele's 90th minute winner against Real Valladolid last night, Barcelona are now just a point behind La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid. There were times during this season when the Rojiblancos' lead at the top of the table had looked unassailable.

That has most definitely changed now with Real Madrid and Barcelona hot on their heels and breathing down their necks. Barcelona had also pulled off a spectacular comeback victory over Sevilla in the Copa Del Rey semi-final and are set to face Athletic Bilbao in the final.

If they can win the domestic double, Lionel Messi would become a really strong contender for the Ballon d'Or.

#2 Win the Golden boot/ball in Copa America

Argentina v Ecuador - South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022
Argentina v Ecuador - South American Qualifiers for Qatar 2022

Lionel Messi will join the Argentinian international side to take part in the Copa America this summer. Argentina and Colombia will host this edition of the Copa America and Argentina are in with a shout.

One look at the competition will tell you that Brazil and Argentina are hot favourites to win the Copa America this term.

If Lionel Messi can kick on in the same vein and keep his levels up during the tournament, he could end up with either the Golden Boot for most goals scored or the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament.

#1 Win Copa America with Argentina

Brazil v Argentina: Semi Final - Copa America Brazil 2019
Brazil v Argentina: Semi Final - Copa America Brazil 2019

One of the biggest criticisms that Lionel Messi continues to face is that he has not tasted success with the Argentine national team. He has come close on quite a few occasions and even made it to the final of the World Cup in 2014.

Winning the Copa America with Argentina will go a long way towards winding up his critics and in making a strong case for winning the Ballon d'Or this year.

The last time that Argentina won the Copa America was back in 1993 and they are desperate to become successful in the international circuit once again. Maybe Lionel Messi could yet bring them to their promised land.

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