UEFA Awards 2018-19: Top 3 Contenders for Men's Player of the Year

#1 Lionel Messi

Barcelona v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Semi Final: First Leg

The top scorer and hands down the best forward in Champions League this season. Lionel Messi finished the 18/19 UCL campaign winning the Player of the Week award on 5 different occasions. He was named Player of the Week for his performances against PSV (home and away), Tottenham Hotspur (away), Liverpool (home), and Manchester United (home). His freekick goal against Liverpool was also voted as Goal of the Season by fans.

In addition to the 12 goals, Messi also made 3 assists and created 9 big chances. His accurate passes in opposition half stood at 42 (82%) and averaged 3.4 (79%) accurate long balls. He also completed 3.5 dribbles per game at 61% success rate, while winning 6.6 duels at 52%.

Apart from just stats, Messi's performance across the tournament was consistent and he was involved in 15 out of the 22 goals scored in the games that he played. That is a staggering 68% involvement in goals. The fact that Barcelona surrendered a 3 goal lead against Liverpool overshadows his consistency across the tournament. Individually, he was as brilliant as ever, and he scored against the famed Liverpool defence consisting of van Dijk and Alisson twice at Camp Nou.

Messi is at a disadvantage due to a semi-final finish but individually, he was as good as if not better than anyone out there.