5 reasons why Barcelona lead Real Madrid by 19 points in La Liga

#1 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has dialled in some sparkling performances for the Blaugrana this season

This season, Lionel Messi has been class personified, his astounding brilliance has been showcased on more than occasion; pounding in the goals, procuring assists and carrying the team forward.

In 28 appearances for Barcelona this season, Messi has thumped in 23 goals (17 in La Liga) and assisted a further 11 in all competitions. To say that he has been conducive to the team's successful run would be an understatement. Added to that, his fine injury record this season has also served to aid the team's title charge in La Liga.

If Lionel Messi continues in his rich vein of form, there's no telling what Barcelona could go on to achieve, come the end of the season.

Lionel Messi: MotM vs Real Sociedad, Rating 9.27, Shots(OT) 5(2), Goals 1, Key passes 1, Assists 1, Dribbles 4, Pass success rate 87.2%, Times fouled 4 @FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/ARs4xPQV0C

— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 14, 2018

(Credits: Wikipedia, TransferMarkt)