LIONEL Messi has won a record seventh Ballon D’or award for the best men’s footballer in the world.
The 34-year-old Argentinian beat Poland and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to the 2021 edition of the award, which was announced in Paris on Monday night.
Messi added the 2021 gong to the ones he won in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.
His fierce rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, finished sixth in the 2021 vote.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho finished third in the voting, followed by Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.
Lewandowski won the newly introduced Best Striker award for scoring the most goals in 2021.
Barcelona Femeni star Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or after firing the club to the UEFA Champions League title, while Pedri, the 19-year-old Spain and Barcelona starlet, claimed the Trophee Kopa for the Young Player of the Year.
Italy and Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma won the Yashin Trophy for the Goalkeeper of the Year, largely based off his performances at the European Championship where he was Player of the Tournament as his country triumphed.
UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea were named the first recipients of the Club of the Year prize for having the most players nominated for awards across categories.
BALLON D’OR 2021 RANKINGS (𝟯𝟬 to 𝟭)
=29. Cesar Azpilicueta
=29. Luka Modric
=26. Nicolo Barella
=26. Ruben Dias
=26. Gerard Moreno
25. Phil Foden
24. Pedri
23. Harry Kane
=21. Lautaro Martinez
=21. Bruno Fernandes
20. Riyad Mahrez
19. Mason Mount
18. Simon Kjaer
17. Luis Suarez
16. Neymar
15. Raheem Sterling
14. Leonardo Bonucci
13. Giorgio Chiellini
12. Romelu Lukaku
11. Erling Haaland
10. Gianluigi Donnarumma
9. Kylian Mbappe
8. Kevin De Bruyne
7. Mohamed Salah
6. Cristiano Ronaldo
5. N’Golo Kante
4. Karim Benzema
3. Jorginho
2. Robert Lewandowski
1. Lionel Messi
