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

#1 Ecuador vs Argentina, World Cup Qualifier 2018

Messi helped Argentina secure World Cup qualification

Argentina were on the cusp of humiliation with the World Cup qualification looking highly uncertain. They were at 6th position in the CONMEBOL world cup qualifying campaign before the final round of matches and with only four automatic slots available, the chances looked extremely bleak. Argentina travelled to Ecuador for the final match with their qualification hopes also dependent on favourable results elsewhere.

After Renato Ibarra put Ecuador ahead within the first minute of the game, the Argentine supporters' worst nightmares seemed to come true. But one man had other plans, who carried the weight of the whole nation on his shoulders.

It was a virtuoso display from the Argentine skipper who put Argentina level in the 12th minute of the game finishing off a move he started. He then put Argentina ahead with a thunderous strike into the top left corner in the 20th minute of the game and later with the clock going past the hour mark, put the game to bed with a brilliant chip past the keeper.

Argentina won 3-1 thanks to a hattrick from their star forward and the result helped them secure an automatic qualification for the World Cup Finals in Russia next year. Lionel Messi produced one of his finest performances in an international jersey and stood up when his nation needed him the most.