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#3 Lionel Messi's Ballon d'Or 2009 win
After going two years without major silverware, Barcelona were back to their absolute best under Pep Guardiola, as they won their first-ever treble of La Liga, Copa Del Rey and Champions League in 2009.
It goes without saying that Lionel Messi played a starring role in all three campaigns, forging a deadly strike partnership with Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry. The Blaugrana ran amok, winning three more titles in the second half of the year to complete a historic sextuple.
That was the year Lionel Messi well and truly came of age, propelling himself into the bracket of the world's best players.
#2 Ballon d'Or 2011
Just two years later, after their historic continental treble, Barcelona were on course for another treble. Even though Real Madrid denied them a piece of history by snatching the league cup at the death, Guardiola's juggernaut romped to every other title available, including a La Liga and Champions League double.
Lionel Messi was once again at the forefront, ripping teams apart with his blistering scoring exploits, which yielded goals in the Champions League, UEFA Supercup, Spanish Supercup,and the Club World Cup final.
His performances with the Albiceleste in that summer's Copa America left a lot to be desired, as Lionel Messi and co. were knocked out in the quarter-final. But it was the only sore note in an otherwise stellar year for the Blaugrana hitman.
#1 Ballon d'Or 2015
Barcelona's historic second continental treble in the 2014-15 season was statistically their best, as almost every key player in the squad was in peak form, including, of course, Lionel Messi.
Now with Neymar and Luis Suarez alongside him, the goal-scoring burden was shared. But that didn't stop Lionel Messi from netting 53 times in all competitions and creating plenty more.
Following a difficult year for him as well as the club, Messi and co. re-established themselves as Europe's best, with La Pulga at the forefront
