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8 of Lionel Messi's best performances in 2015

The Barcelona attacker won his fifth Ballon d’Or this evening.

1. Versus Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final

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THERE WASN’T MUCH between the sides until Lionel Messi took the game by the scruff of the neck, scoring twice in a 3-0 first-leg victory over Bayern and rendering the rest of the tie a mere formality.

2. The Champions League final

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He may not have scored, but Messi had a hand in the second goal and generally didn’t disappoint as Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1 to secure a historic treble.

3. Versus Man City in the Champions League last 16

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They may not have been his most effective performances of the season — he missed a penalty late on in the first leg and failed to score in either game — but on an aesthetic level, there were few more pleasing sights in 2015 than Messi tormenting the hapless Man City defence over two legs.

4. His 12-minute hat-trick against Rayo Vallecano

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Granted, Messi played in far more important games in 2015 and scored better goals, but on numerous occasions, he bullied smaller Spanish sides with his mesmeric skills and prolific goalscoring and the Rayo Vallecano match is as good an example as any.

5. Scoring the decisive goal against Atletico to secure Barca the La Liga title

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While Messi and Barca may have been more dominant in other matches, it takes a truly great player to come good when his team needs it most, and Messi did just that against Atletico, securing his side the La Liga title in the process.

6. Helping Argentina thrash Paraguay in the Copa America semi

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Another game where Messi didn’t score but still managed a magnificent display. This match highlighted his continual willingness to do what’s best for the team at the expense of individual glory. Also, it’s not often a team wins a semi-final 6-1.

7. Inspiring Barca in the Copa del Rey final

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One of the less high-profile of Barca’s trophy wins, it was another big occasion when Messi came good, scoring a brace to keep his side on course for the treble.

8. His brace in Barcelona’s 6-1 demolition of Roma

NugoBasilaiaa / YouTube

An early injury means Messi has not been quite as involved this season as he would have liked, however that didn’t stop him scoring twice in Barca’s phenomenal 6-1 defeat of Roma in the Champions League group stages.

What was your favourite Lionel Messi performance from 2015?

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