From dazzling free kicks in El Clásico to relentless dribbling in tight spaces, 2019 was Lionel Messi’s year — a campaign bursting with artistry, numbers, and clutch moments. But why Messi got Ballon d’Or 2019 is more than just about goals and assists. It’s about narrative, longevity, influence, and how he edged out arguably a defender’s best season ever. In this article, GypsyGoal will walk you through the intense debate, the stats, and the intangible magic that pushed Messi to a record-breaking sixth Ballon d’Or.
The Context: Ballon d’Or 2019 And The Competition
In December 2019, France Football awarded Lionel Messi his sixth Ballon d’Or, lifting him ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Virgil van Dijk. The final tally was razor-thin: Messi finished with 686 points, while Van Dijk followed closely with 679 — a margin of just seven points.
That narrow gap reflects how fiercely contested the award was that year. The result sparked immediate debate: Did a forward who netted and assisted often deserve it more than a defender who practically anchored a champion side? The football world was split.
Van Dijk’s season with Liverpool, which included a Champions League triumph and a commanding presence in defense, made many believe a defender could win it. Yet, Messi’s brilliance in attack, his statistical dominance, and his brand of football swayed enough votes.
To understand why Messi got Ballon d’Or 2019, we need to break down his individual output, his impact on Barcelona and Argentina, the voting mechanics, and the counterarguments that critics still mention.
Statistical Supremacy: Goals, Assists, And More
Numbers don’t make a champion — but they sure help build a case. Messi’s statistical season in 2019 was among his most prolific yet.
A Breakdown of Messi’s 2019 Campaign
- Across club and country, Messi played 58 matches, scoring 50 goals and providing 18 assists. That averages a goal contribution every ~69 minutes.
- In Spain’s La Liga 2018–19 season, Messi recorded 36 goals and 13 assists in 34 appearances — a staggering 49 direct contributions in the league alone. tatmuse.com])
- Beyond just finishing, Messi’s mastery.app])
These numbers demonstrate dominance not just in scoring but in all forms of attacking involvement.
Comparing With Van Dijk And Ronaldo
Van Dijk’s campaign was once-for-the-ages, especially for a defender. He marshaled Liverpool’s backline, helped them to a Champions League title, and was virtually unmatched in tackles, interceptions, aerial duels, and positional discipline. Still, defenders are traditionally penalized in these awards because they don’t rack up goals and assists.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo in 2019 had good output but couldn’t match Messi’s omega numbers—especially the all-around contributions. Messi’s ability to be decisive in attack, even in matches where Barcelona struggled, tipped the balance.
Influence & Impact: Beyond the Numbers
Statistics alone don’t win Ballons — influence on games and consistency count heavily.
Carrying Barcelona in Turbulent Matches
Barcelona in 2019 saw tactical shifts, occasional inconsistency, and pressure. In key matches — El Clásicos, Copa del Rey ties, European nights — Messi stepped up. His dribbles, pre-assist vision, pressure acts, and positional fluidity made him the fulcrum of Barça’s attacks.
International Performances + Legacy Weight
On the national stage, Messi’s contributions with Argentina added prestige. Though Argentina’s 2019 Copa América was not victorious, his presence and performances in qualifiers and friendlies affirmed that he was still at the core of his national side.
Furthermore, by 2019, Messi had already built an all-time résumé: five Ballon d’Ors, multiple Champions Leagues, and numerous domestic titles. That legacy likely added weight in voter minds — the sense that here was a star at his enduring peak.
The Voting Margin & How It Was Decided
If you ask why Messi got Ballon d’Or 2019, you also need to dive into how it was decided.
- Voters: 176 journalists. Messi’s consistency across ballots carried him through.
- Vote shifts: Some voters changed their ballots between “The Best” and Ballon d’Or votes; those shifts netted Messi 26 additional points and Van Dijk 23. That swung the margin.
- Despite Van Dijk earning more first-place votes in some ballots, the breadth of support for Messi across all positions (2nd, 3rd…) was superior.
Thus, why Messi got Ballon d’Or 2019 involved not only statistical superiority, but broader voting support and small ballot dynamics that edged him ahead in a tight race.
Main Critiques & Counterarguments
No Ballon decision is free from criticism — especially one as tight as 2019. Here are the main counterarguments, and how supporters of Messi’s award respond.
|
Argument |
Counterpoint |
|
Van Dijk’s defense was more consistent and rare for a defender |
True — but defenders are structurally disadvantaged in award voting because they don’t generate goals and assists. Messi’s attacking dominance compensates. |
|
Messi benefited from playing in a glamorous position |
Some say yes, but Messi converted that glamour into final contributions, especially in tight matches that mattered. |
|
Barcelona had help; Messi not purely decisive every time |
Even in games where he wasn’t scoring, his movement, pressing, chance creation and pressure on defenses shaped outcomes. |
|
Ballon voters sometimes favor forwards over defenders |
That systemic bias exists, but Messi’s campaign was strong enough it would’ve won even under fairer comparisons. |
Many analysts admit Van Dijk had a legendary season; yet Messi’s “complete attacking” argument won more hearts (and ballots).
Legacy And Aftermath
Winning Ballon d’Or 2019 gave Messi his sixth title, breaking the tie with Cristiano Ronaldo and placing him alone at the top — at least as of that moment.
That win also fueled debates: Could a defender ever win? Was it fair to compare attacking and defensive contributions? The narrow margin made it one of the most controversial Ballon editions.
Over time, this win is often cited as a turning point in the Messi–Ronaldo duopoly narrative — Messi now had a clear edge in terms of total Ballons.
Conclusion
Why Messi got Ballon d’Or 2019 boils down to a perfect storm:
- Statistical mastery: Goals, assists, free kicks—he delivered in every attacking aspect.
- Influence on matches: His presence elevated Barcelona, especially in crucial games.
- Broad voter support: Beyond just first-place ballots, he gained. Legacy weight: His career reputation added prestige in tight decisions.
If you want to dive deeper — match-by-match breakdowns, ballot results, comparisons with Van Dijk’s defensive stats — GypsyGoal has you covered. Let us know if you’d like an article on Messi vs Van Dijk 2019 comparisons, or a full breakdown of each ballot.
