Messi is one of the biggest figures in football history, with as many as seven Ballon d’Or awards in his trophy cabinet. Despite representing Paris Saint-Germain these days, for many, he will always be associated with Barcelona. By the way, it’s easy to watch LaLiga standing on the sports statistics website.
Everyone is well aware of Messi’s greatness, but let’s remember why exactly the Argentine received his first Ballon d’Or. It happened in 2009. A couple of years before that, Messi had already been in the top three candidates, but he ended up losing, as did Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, the appointment of Pep Guardiola as coach of the Catalans proved to be a turning point. It was under him that Messi really blossomed and reached the peak of his potential.
In 2009, Barcelona, whose successes in the standing of LaLiga can be followed on a verified website, won six trophies at once. These were:
- LaLiga;
- Spanish Cup;
- Champions League;
- European Super Cup;
- Spanish Super Cup;
- Club World Cup.
The protagonist of that team was, of course, Messi. Lionel became the top scorer of the Primera and the Champions League. In many ways, this is what predetermined the fact that the player was named the best at the end of the year.
Later, he did not lower the bar, but, on the contrary, raised it. He has repeatedly led his team to victory in LaLiga and the Champions League. But in 2009, the Argentine’s scoring exploits (including a header in the final match against the Manchester United) are still remembered by the fans.
