Bar a disappointing World Cup and missing out on the Ballon d'Or for a third year running, 2018 has been a great year for Lionel Messi.
With Barcelona the Argentine completed the La Liga and Copa del Rey double last season, scoring 34 goals and assisting a further 12 in 36 league appearances.
His closest challengers for the Pichichi Trophy - which he won, of course - were Cristiano Ronaldo (26) and Luis Suarez (25), which just goes to show how dominant Messi was.
And now, heading into 2019, Barca are top of La Liga by three points and Messi is the leading goalscorer on 15 - four ahead of Suarez.
Individually Messi has been phenomenal throughout 2018, which is why a lot of people were annoyed when he came a lowly fifth in the Ballon d'Or rankings.
Luka Modric claimed the award having won the Champions League with Real Madrid and captained Croatia to the 2018 World Cup final, where they lost to France.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann then occupied second and third respectively, Kylian Mbappe came fourth and Messi, despite his stats, rounded off the top five.
Messi is arguably the most consistent player in world football, and he once again proved his worth last season with a handful of iconic performances against Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid, to name just a few.
Gary Lineker is the latest big name to make a point of Messi's achievements this year, and he may have saved one of his best tweets of 2018 to now.
"The leading scorer in Europe's top 5 leagues in 2018 was Messi with 47 goals." he said.
"The most assists made in Europe's top 5 leagues in 2018 was Messi with 26. He also scored directly from more free-kicks than anyone in the history of Europe's top 5 leagues. 5th in Ballon d'Or."
Thoughts on Lineker's tweet? Let us know in the comments.
Amirrezart
252
I fuckin love gary now he is just really on target😁😁😁😁👍🏻👍🏻
Ababsco
198
No words can describe how great Messi is. The truth is that ballon d or should be given to ordinary players and another award to Messi every year. If the ballon d or is for the best player then Messi should win it easily every year FIFA has fever. The year can't be any better I remember someone saying he has just one skill. That one skill is better than all he ever was GOAT for all reasons
alowonlejnr
105
Modic won d Ballob d'Or majorly because he guided Croatia to the final of the World cup..... 4 years ago when Messi did d same they said it was Nothing to write home about...... keep hating Messi...... one day u will miss him and by then he would be gone for good
Dohtmhan
101
MESSI IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE PRAISED AGAIN.NOW THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS HE IS THE GOAT.NOW WHO CRITISE MESSI JUST WANT TO BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT. PAPA PELE CAN CONFIRM HIS SON IS THE BEST
Netbeiksz
67
Actions speak louder than words. Messi have done it in 2018 and the whole world witnessed it, so who cares if he's not awarded the Ballon d,or. FIFA next time no mistakes try to identify who deserves to be awarded or else!!!!
Natdekl
48
Messi is best player of all time
LM10Cuccitini
42
Lionel Messi the greatest footballer of all time
Grabiboulga
41
Nice tweet 😂😂😂 But we can stop proving Messi is the best, because if you deny it then you're just a hater or a nonsense guy. Give this award to whoever you want, Messi is the best of all time, and Im pretty sure no one will ever surpass him.
Christopher_Robin
27
Messi Was unstoppable with his 51 goals this season. This is a spoiler but he's gonna make it 60 next year to remain on the top again. Never forget that this is a man of surprises. He may not have scored a single headed goal this year but that does not stop him from being the best player to grace the pitch. He is just a beauty to watch. I love watching his plays and I hope to see more. This is the end of 2018. That means it is the start of a new year for more wonders from the magician. Thank you for making this such a wonderful year. #LM10