Ballon d'Or 2019: Four favourites to finish in the top three this year

#1 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

FC Barcelona v Boca Juniors - Joan Gamper Trophy

Individually, another year of Champions League disappointment is unlikely to overshadow Lionel Messi's reputation as one of the greatest players to grace the game. The Barcelona captain has enjoyed a scintillating individual season with the Catalan giants with insane numbers to back him this term.

The Argentine talisman boasts of having 51 goals and 22 assists in all competitions for his club, numbers that allowed him to easily swoop a sixth Pichichi trophy and a European Golden Shoe.

Messi lifted his first La Liga title as club captain and was heading towards a dream treble until Barcelona landed on the receiving end of one of the best comebacks in Europe. The Blaugrana wasted their three-goal lead against Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League to crash out of the competition in spectacular fashion.

The Spanish champions replicated their performances in Anfield during the Copa del Rey final against Valencia, and lost out on what would have been an acceptable consolation for their European failure.

While his disappointments outside of La Liga may dampen his chances at a sixth Ballon d'Or award, the Argentine will likely return to the podium at the end of the year.