People in here trying to start a myth like the 2010 balon de or one? I can see now this argument in a few years: "Messi stole Sneijder's balon de or in 2010 and VVD's in 2019!"
Messi was the best player on the planet last year, by far. The Balon de Oro goes to the best football player in the world, it doesnt go to the best player of the team that wins the CL, or the best player of the team that wins the world cup, etc.
Most goals scored in top 5 leagues, most assists on top 5 leagues, most goals scored on CL, la liga winner, most chances created out of all leagues, most dribbles, most key passes, etc.
Most MOTM performances by a player in 2019, 10/10 performances both in quarter and semifinals of the CL, against United and against Liverpool.
Him and Ter Stegen have been draging Barca to success for the last couple of years. Put Messi on Liverpool and put Van Dijk on Barcelona and Liverpool win everything while Barcelona barely make it out of the group stages of the CL. You only have to watch Barcelona play for the last 2 years to realize that this isnt an exaggeration.