2018 is nearly over and it's been a very mixed bag for the legendary Lionel Messi.The year began with a dominant La Liga title victory with Barcelona, with yet another Copa del Rey added for good measure, although an embarrassing exit from the Champions League took a bit of the shine off.But Messi's 34 La Liga goals were enough for a 5th European Golden Boot and sent him to Russia for the World Cup with high expectations.Argentina were awful, however, scraping through the group stage before being thoroughly embarrassed by France in the round of sixteen.And that World Cup performance was enough to see Messi out of the running for the Ballon d'Or despite actually being the standout performer of 2018.Messi infamously came fifth in the voting despite topping Europe for both goals assists in a year where he won the double.He's already leading the scoring in Europe's top five leagues this season with fifteen - one more than his great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo.No World Cup in 2019 means Messi probably fancies his chances of regaining that Ballon d'Or, especially if repeats his wonderful form from this year.And his club have found the perfect way of ringing in 2019: a video of Messi's best from his years in the #19 shirt.You can check it out below:

Messi wore 19 on his back for his first two full seasons in the Barcelona first team, having initially worn 30 when he first broke in.

These were the two years where Messi really made the world step up and notice a kid who clearly had the potential to be great, scoring some truly sensational goals.

Not, however, that anyone could have predicted just how great he would become.

He'd take Ronaldinho's #10 shirt in 2008 and by the end of the year he had his first of five Ballons d'Or.

And with the form he's in right now, you'd be mad to bet against him making it six in 2019.