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Messi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga match against Deportivo Alaves in December. Getty
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Barcelona's Lionel Messi was having another astonishing year in La Liga before the March lockdown. PA
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Messi poses with his sixth Ballon d'Or in December. AFP
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Messi battles for the ball with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the Clasico. AP
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Antoine Griezmann of Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Lionel Messi. Getty
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Lionel Messi receives La Liga best player of the month award from former Barca star Carles Puyol. AFP
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Messi celebrates after scoring at the Camp Nou. AFP
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Messi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga match against Deportivo Alaves in December. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PIWP2WSOSUF5ABPTFL3DAXIEW4.jpg?smart=true&auth=d2ee06291c78695fd90886a9856e39486cbab82b8a5ab6cf4a32b1aafc81e8ad&width=400&height=225)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi was having another astonishing year in La Liga before the March lockdown. PA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VEUCVTKIO2XE5YIVVCOW2TFDXI.jpg?smart=true&auth=34cee3e4f96d5afdd07f46d9415238311e03a2cead470fdf811b658fb994700e&width=400&height=225)
Messi poses with his sixth Ballon d'Or in December. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OKGVTZM2NQVP46X6WZZ7SQ5KYY.jpg?smart=true&auth=d2f03e95f4a7bb3fa1313e02281c7f27b6f09ca413576e28cb0f18b7b8267c44&width=400&height=225)
Messi battles for the ball with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the Clasico. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OA6Q4EUVXK45F5CUKVRUCNBB2U.jpg?smart=true&auth=f7299ae716c672140456fd349bafcef6d952cbaf79bc7db20cdc3c2e68e7370b&width=400&height=225)
Antoine Griezmann of Barcelona celebrates with his teammate Lionel Messi. Getty
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Lionel Messi receives La Liga best player of the month award from former Barca star Carles Puyol. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HRKQDI6NXVHPD2D4VPZSFDKVBI.jpg?smart=true&auth=90df9b2120b40005d64fa6d11e16e0ffefa52a5f73305c1e710a106d4c5dcb31&width=400&height=225)
Messi celebrates after scoring at the Camp Nou. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/STBRSZ2S6CQFANJP2NQVRCLJ4E.jpg?smart=true&auth=b8d8595cf902912a34dfe1ebc04c6e146ad645f1eb14edb31263a25b05f280f0&width=400&height=225)
Messi celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the La Liga match against Deportivo Alaves in December. Getty
Is Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi the world's greatest player? David Beckham casts his vote
The former Real Madrid star says both are 'head and shoulders' above the rest
Dominic Hart
19 April, 2020
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