There were plenty of wonderful individual performances in 2019, but only a few select footballers could carry on an entire year dominating headlines. These stars helped their team finish on the podium with the titles and in the meantime also added individual honours to their collection. They are all about team efforts but at the same time stand tall from the rest of the squad due to the x-factor in them. So who are these top 5 footballing talents of 2019, let us have a quick look. Year Ender 2019 Football Special: Liverpool Reclaims Lost Legacy.

Lionel Messi 

Lionel Messi (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

The 2019 Ballon ‘ d Or and FIFA Best Player of the year winner was on top of the game throughout the campaign. In the first half of 2019, he scored 21 La Liga goal in 19 games to help Barcelona win the championship. He has been in splendid form in the 2019/20 season as well as the Catalonians are top of the La Liga table and through to the UEFA Champions League group stage. Year Ender 2019: Lionel Messi Starts and Ends Decade As 'The Best'.

Virgil Van Dijk

Virgil Van Dijk (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

After a gap of many years, we have a defender who is considered a true superstar and up there with elite strikers as the best player in the world. Virgil Van Dijk has been a success ever since he made a move to Liverpool, helping the Reds win three trophies in 2019. He also won the 2019 European Player of the Year thanks to his defensive prowess which is second to none in the game. Year Ender 2019 Virgil Van Dijk Special: Top Moments of UEFA Men’s Player of the Year.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Italian Serie A title in 2019 and also had a UEFA Nations League get added to his honours list. But still, when compared to his brilliant track record, he had a very average year. The 35-year Portuguese skipper had 39 goals to his credit, but individual awards deserted him. Cristiano Ronaldo Shares Family Photo, Flaunts 2019 Dubai Globe Soccer Men’s Player Of the Year Award; View Pic.

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is a player that often goes unrecognised due o his low profile off the pitch but on it, he is some player. Lionel Messi has rated him highly and the Senegalese international performances helped the Reds lift the coveted European trophy this year after a gap of 14 years. With 12 goals and seven assists, he is on course to have a wonderful 2019/20 season.

Raheem Sterling

Raheem Sterling (Photo Credits: Getty Images)

Winger Raheem Sterling was on hand to score 41 goals for club and country in 2019 and win a host of domestic trophies in the second half of 2018/19 season. Despite his heroics in the Champions League, his club Manchester City were knocked out of the tournament by Tottenham Hotspur.

These were our top five performers in football in 2019, and we look forward to these stars being on top of the game in the coming years as well.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 30, 2019 12:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).