After the first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Barcelona and Liverpool, in which Lionel Messi scored two goals for a 3-0 victory, many assumed that the Argentine had the 2019 Ballon d'Or in his hands. However, many things have changed in the last two months.
The FC Barcelona star has not delivered outstanding performances since then, and a couple of candidates have emerged who could prevent him from winning the award at the end of the year. The latest to step into the spotlight is goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who some see as having a chance to steal the smile from Messi's face.
Alisson Becker is about to equal Taffarel's record. (Photo: AFP)
The Brazilian goalkeeper had a dream season. He was a key player in Liverpool's runner-up finish in the Premier League, won the Champions League against Tottenham, and last Sunday he became the champion of the Copa América with his national team.
In a tournament where he was the best goalkeeper of all, Alisson only conceded one goal in six matches. He was not scored on until the final held at the Maracanã. Only Paolo Guerrero was able to send the Liverpool goalkeeper to retrieve the ball from the net.
In addition to the collective titles he has won, he was chosen as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, Champions League, and received the 'Golden Glove' in the Copa do Brasil 2019. He definitely has what it takes to challenge Messi in the race for the Ballon d'Or.
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