With this year's Ballon D'Or trophy to be awarded in Zurich in January next year, I think the best man for the award is the man whose already won the award four times, our star forward, Lionel Messi.
Even though 2014 wasn't Messi's most fantastic year, it is probably impossible to reach the heights that he once did and he has still been fantastic on an individual level. Despite being injured for half of the 2013/14 season, Messi still managed to score 28 goals and make 11 assists in his 29 starts for Barcelona over the course of the season. He may not have any trophies to show for it, but he was, in my opinion, as unbeatable as he's ever been, even though he lacked support from his teammates for the most part.
What's more is that Messi was far better than his nearest competitors at this summer's World Cup. Having led Argentina to the final, Messi won the Golden Ball in Brazil, after he won five man-of-the-match trophies, scored four goals and got one assist during his seven appearances at the tournament. He outperformed, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo.
In addition to this, Messi has started the new season in staggering form with seven goals and seven assists in nine appearances for Barcelona so far this season. And he's showing no signs of slowing down. So by the time January comes around, there should be very few that will be doubting the fact that Lionel Messi is still the best in the world.
Do you think Lionel Messi should win the 2014 Ballon D'Or?
