5 matches that prove Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d'Or 2017

#4 Barcelona vs Juventus, UCL 17/18, Group Stage

Messi produced a scintillating performance against Juventus

This was the time for vengeance with Juventus returning to Barcelona having defeated them over the quarter-final stage of the same competition last season. With the departure of Neymar, Barcelona were considered to have weakened over the summer but Messi made sure that Barcelona get some revenge over the Old Lady.

The 5 time Ballon d'Or winner opened the scoring for Barcelona just at the stroke of half time, finding himself in a bit of space on the edge of the box and put the ball into the bottom corner going past Buffon for the first time in his career.

He then made one for Ivan Rakitic before scoring another one himself in the 68th minute of the game, cutting past Sturaro and Benatia and driving the ball into the bottom right corner for his second and Barca's third.

Lionel Messi had 83 touches of the ball, completed 5 dribbles, played 2 long balls, 1 key pass in a game where he was simply outstanding. This game set Barcelona on the right path for the season after losing Neymar over the summer and also ensured some payback for Juventus.