The 5 greatest Ballon d'Or winners to have graced El Clasico | La Liga 2019-20

1. Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi has set numerous records and has won the Ballon d'Or on 6 occasions while at Barcelona

In the modern era at least, no player embodies Barcelona more than the Argentine wizard Lionel Messi. A product of Barca’s famed La Masia academy, Messi debuted in the first team at the Nou Camp way back in 2003 as a tiny 16-year old, and to say he has made a big impact since would be the understatement of the century.

In the years that have followed his debut, the Argentine has set numerous records; he’s won a club-record 34 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 La Liga titles and 4 Champions Leagues, he holds the record for most goals in La Liga history with 437, the record for most assists in La Liga history with 181, he’s become Barcelona’s all-time leading goalscorer with 626 strikes and he’s also won the Ballon d’Or on 6 different occasions, more than any other player.

When discussing his style of play, what is there to say? Messi isn’t a physical powerhouse like Cristiano Ronaldo nor is he the quickest player on the pitch as the Brazilian Ronaldo was in his prime. Instead, he’s like a ghost, seemingly operating on another dimensional plane than his opponents, dribbling around defenders like they’re not there at all.

Some of his goals literally need to be seen to be believed, and of course, 26 of them have come in El Clasico matches against Real Madrid, giving him yet another record for his personal ledger. Will he be remembered as being better than his great rival, Ronaldo? To be quite frank, it doesn’t matter – they’re equally special players and fans of La Blaugrana and Los Blancos would probably take them over any of the other stars that have graced their famous stadiums over the years.

When it comes to the best Ballon d’Or winners to have graced El Clasico, though, nobody beats Messi.