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#2 Failure to win the Champions League and the Copa America
Believe it or not, winning the Champions League goes a long way in winning the Ballon d'Or. The last three Ballon d'Or winners have all won the Champions League that season. Messi and his team were dumped out in the semi-finals by Liverpool with an incredible comeback.
In the first leg, Barcelona swept Liverpool away and went to Anfield with a 3-0 lead. But they blew the three-goal advantage and lost 4-0 in the second leg. It felt like a humiliation Barcelona and their captain, Messi couldn't motivate his players enough.
The loss in the Champions League semi-finals might cost Messi the Ballon d'Or this year. Also, Argentina bowed out to Brazil in the Copa America in the semi-finals which have further dented the chances of Messi winning the coveted trophy. While, Lionel Messi has certainly had a terrific individual year, winning international and European trophies is pivotal in winning the Ballon d'Or.
