After two unsuccessful seasons , Barcelona were in need of an overhaul , leading to the departure of Rijkaard and Ronaldinho . Upon the latter 's departure , Messi was given the number 10 shirt . He signed a new contract in July 2008 on an annual salary of € 7.8 million , becoming the club 's highest-paid player . Ahead of the new season , a major concern remained his frequent muscular injuries , which had left him side-lined for a total of eight months between 2006 and 2008 . To combat the problem , the club implemented new training , nutrition , and lifestyle regimens , and assigned him a personal physiotherapist , who would travel with him during call-ups for the Argentina national team . As a result , Messi remained virtually injury-free during the next four years , allowing him to reach his full potential . Despite his injuries early in the year , his performances in 2008 saw him again voted runner-up for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award , both times behind Cristiano Ronaldo
Ballon d'Or
2008 Ballon d'Or
Lionel Messi