On December 3rd, 2019, history was made as Lionel Messi won his record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or title. The Argentine forward became the first player in history to win the prestigious award six times, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo’s haul of five. Messi’s victory didn’t come as a surprise to many as he had an exceptional year both individually and collectively with his club, Barcelona.
Messi’s journey to the sixth Ballon d’Or title started way back in August 2018 when he was named the UEFA Best Forward of the previous season, which saw him excel in the Champions League, leading Barcelona to the quarter-finals. The award was an indication that Messi was already ahead of many players vying for the Ballon d’Or, and he didn’t disappoint.
Messi began the 2018/2019 season in sensational form, scoring hat-tricks and braces in Barcelona’s first few La Liga matches. He continued to impress as the season progressed and ended it as La Liga’s top scorer with 36 goals, 15 more than the second-placed Karim Benzema. Messi also won the European Golden Shoe for the third consecutive time, having scored 36 goals in La Liga that season.
Messi’s performances in the Champions League were also formidable, he scored twice against Tottenham Hotspur in the group stage before scoring two spectacular goals in the quarter-finals against Manchester United to seal Barcelona’s passage to the semi-finals. Barcelona was knocked out by Liverpool in the semi-finals, but Messi’s impact on the team was undeniable.
Messi’s form in the Copa del Rey was also impressive, he scored twice in the final to help Barcelona beat Valencia 2-1 and win the trophy. Messi was instrumental in Barcelona’s success that season, and his performances were recognized with countless individual awards, including the La Liga Player of the Year, European Golden Shoe, and now the Ballon d’Or.
Messi’s 2019 didn’t start as well as the previous year. He suffered a calf injury in the pre-season which kept him out of Barcelona’s opening La Liga matches. He also missed Argentina’s opening fixtures in their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite his slow start, Messi picked up where he left off, scoring twice in Barcelona’s 5-2 win over Real Betis upon his return.
Messi’s performances throughout 2019 were exceptional, he scored 46 goals and provided 17 assists for Barcelona, and he also led Argentina to the Copa America semi-finals, scoring a hat-trick against Nicaragua in a friendly match. Messi’s form was as good as ever, and he was a standout player in a season that saw him win the Ballon d’Or for the sixth time.
The Ballon d’Or is awarded annually by France Football to the best male footballer in the world for that calendar year. Since its inception in 1956, Messi has won the award six times (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019), more than any other player. The Ballon d’Or is one of the most prestigious individual accolades in football, and Messi’s achievement of winning the award six times is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport.
Messi’s win of the 2019 Ballon d’Or wasn’t just significant because of the record-breaking achievement, but also the fact that he won it over Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, who was considered by many as Messi’s closest rival for the award. Van Dijk has had an exceptional year with Liverpool, helping them to win the Champions League and finishing second in the Premier League by a point. Despite Van Dijk’s achievements, Messi’s individual performances were too good to ignore.
Messi’s Ballon d’Or win was celebrated around the world by football fans and pundits alike. The award was a culmination of an exceptional year for Messi, and it cemented his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Messi’s achievements have inspired a generation of footballers and will continue to do so for many years to come.
In conclusion, Messi’s sixth Ballon d’Or title is a historic achievement that will forever be remembered in the history of football. His individual performances throughout 2019 were exceptional, and he fully deserved the award. Messi is a once-in-a-generation player, and his talent, hard work, and dedication to football have made him a true legend of the game. Congratulations Messi!