Even by his own very high standards, you will hear critics claim Lionel Messi had a relatively disappointing 2013. The only trophy Barcelona claimed was the La Liga title, and Messi scored a meer 45 goals, a paltry amount compared to previous years. But this is the magic of Messi; he misses large parts of the season and still scores more goals than any other striker could only dream of.

The Argentines importance to Barcelona can be seen when he is out of the team. The Spanish champions were pulled apart by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals, losing 7-0 on aggregate. Messi was barely fit enough for the first leg and was not even risked for the leg at Camp Nou. The Catalan giant’s only league defeat this season game when Messi was on the sidelines, but he has spent the majority of 2013 clutching at his hamstring.

But he still smashed record after record; the first player to score against the other 19 La Liga teams in succession and not to mention the first to score four Champions League hat-tricks. Messi may only have the one medal in his cabinet for 2013 compared to fellow nominee Franck Ribery’s 5, but so does Daniel Van Buyten and Claudio Pizarro. It is all well gaining team success, but the Ballon d’Or is for individual glory.

You almost get a buzz from watching Messi play, he is capable of easily making something out of absolutely nothing. It is all good and well rolling off statistic and statistic about, but when you see him on the field, the way he commands the football is near to perfection. His goal against Athletico Bilbao sums him up, rounding four players with ease before lashing the ball past the keeper.

And how can you forget Messi single-handedly (and single-leggedly due to his hamstring injury) dragging Barcelona past AC Milan, overhauling a 2-0 lead.

Ronaldo deserves more than one Ballon d’Or; a player of that skill, technique and calibre would be the greatest in nearly any other generation. It would be fitting to see the Madrid man lift his second, so he can gain the same recognition as his counterpart. But it does not work like that; Messi will always have the edge over him, be in through style, trophies or goals.