The Ballon d’Or 2015 Rankings sparked fresh debate in the endless rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Argentinian Lionel Messi competed against Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo, the Juventus star, along with 28 other players for the 2019 Ballon d’Or.
As usual, every year the Ballon d’Or winner sparks debate. Some believe the winner is fully deserving, while others feel someone else who is more worthy was overlooked. When the winner is Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, the controversy reaches its peak due to their immense popularity and the passionate, sometimes fanatical, support they receive from their fans.
Who Was Crowned Ballon d’Or 2019?
Lionel Messi was awarded the 2019 Ballon d’Or by France Football.
The ceremony took place on 2 December 2019 in Paris.
This was Messi’s sixth Ballon d’Or, extending his record as the player with the most wins.
The vote was extremely close—Messi earned 686 points, narrowly ahead of Van Dijk’s 679 points, reflecting just how competitive the race was.
Messi’s deserving of the Ballon d’Or is generally unquestionable. He is one of the greatest players football has ever produced, and one of the best of our era alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Every time the Ballon d’Or is awarded, these two players merit it because they deliver more than anyone else. Messi’s individual performance over the past year was truly exceptions.
Read also: Ballon d’Or 2018 Rankings Revealed
Messi Ballon d’Or Winner 2019 – Why He Deserved It
Messi earned the award thanks to an outstanding season that combined remarkable statistics with decisive performances:
Brilliance with Barcelona: Messi led Barcelona to the La Liga title, scoring 36 goals in the league to finish as the top scorer, while also providing numerous assists that made him the heartbeat of Barça’s attack.
Individual Records: He finished the season as Europe’s top scorer, winning the Golden Shoe for the sixth time in his career.
Champions League Performances: Despite Barcelona’s dramatic elimination in the semifinal against Liverpool at Anfield, Messi delivered exceptional displays throughout the tournament, including two stunning goals in the first leg against Liverpool.
Consistency and Influence: Messi’s ability to maintain a high level across the entire season and change matches single-handedly was seen by voters as the decisive edge over his rivals.
- Comparison with Virgil van Dijk
Messi’s strongest competitor was Virgil van Dijk, the defensive rock of Liverpool, who played a pivotal role in their Champions League victory and record-breaking Premier League campaign.Although many believed Van Dijk deserved the crown, Messi’s attacking impact and unmatched statistics swayed the majority of votes in his favor.
Ballon d’Or 2019 Rankings Revealed: Top 10 Players
| Order | Player | Club | Nationality | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona | Argentina | 686 |
| 2 | Virgil Van Dijk | Liverpool | Netherlands | 679 |
| 3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Juventus | Portugal | 476 |
| 4 | Sadio Mané | Liverpool | Senegal | 347 |
| 5 | Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | Egypt | 178 |
| 6 | Kylian Mbappé | Paris Saint-Germain | France | 89 |
| 7 | Alisson | Liverpool | Brazil | 67 |
| 8 | Robert Lewandowski | Bayern Munich | Poland | 44 |
| 9 | Bernardo Silva | Manchester City | Portugal | 41 |
| 10 | Riyad Mahrez | Manchester City | Algeria | 33 |
Don’t miss: Ballon d’Or Rankings 2017 – Top 3 Players
Additional Notes on Ballon d’Or 2019 Ranking
- Return of the Messi-Ronaldo Rivalry: After Luka Modrić broke their dominance in 2018, the 2019 edition returned to the familiar battle, with Messi winning and Ronaldo still among the top ranks.
- Van Dijk’s Historic Push: Van Dijk came closer than any defender in years, reviving discussions about whether defensive players get enough recognition compared to attackers.
- Team Success vs. Individual Brilliance: The 2019 vote once again highlighted the ongoing debate: should the award reward individual brilliance, or overall team success? Liverpool’s Champions League win was huge, but Messi’s personal numbers proved decisive.
- Sixth Ballon d’Or: Messi’s triumph gave him sole possession of the record for most Ballon d’Or titles, a lead he would later extend in subsequent years.
