Ballon d'Or 2021: Messi beats Lewandowski and Jorginho to win prize for seventh time
The best players in the world were crowned at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.
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| Argentina and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Lionel Messi poses with his Ballon d'Or. Photo: @leomessi |
The Ballon d'Or ceremony saw Argentine forward Lionel Messi clinch the highly respected prize for a record seventh time.
In the voting, Poland and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski emerged second with Italy and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho third.
Spain and Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas won the Women's Ballon d'Or.
34-year old Messi has now won the Ballon d'Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021, this means he has clinched the prize handed to the best footballer in the world more times than any other male player in its history, two clear of biggest rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
At the France Football ceremony where he was handed the seventh Ballon d'Or, Messi said: "I don't know how many years I have left, but I hope there will still be many because I am having enormous fun."
The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker went ahead to praise Robert Lewandowski who was favourite to win the Ballon d'Or in 2020 but was cancelled due to the covid-19 pandemic.
The Argentina international said: "You deserve your Ballon d'Or.
"Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner."
Chelsea - Club Of The Year
2021 was a beautiful season for English Premier League club Chelsea and they have won the Ballon d'Or for the Club Of The Year.
Thomas Tuchel's Blues won the Uefa Champions League 2020/21 and are currently at the top of the English top flight table.
Gianluigi Donnarumma - Yashin Trophy
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| Italy and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma poses with his Yashin Trophy. Photo: @gigiodonna99 |
Italy and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has won the 2021 Yashin Trophy. He defeated Senegal and Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who has been tipped to win the prize.
Donnarumma joined PSG from AC Milan in the summer.
Alexia Putellas - Women's Ballon d'Or
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| Spain and Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas poses with her Women's Ballon d'Or. Photo: @alexiaps94 |
Barcelona star Alexia Putellas has lifted the 2021 Women's Ballon d'Or following a beautiful season which saw the midfielder help her club win the 2020/21 Champions League title.
Spain and Barcelona forward Jennifer Hormoso and Australia and Chelsea forward Sam Kerr emerged second and third best respectively.
Robert Lewandowski - Striker Of The Year
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| Poland and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski poses with his Striker Of The Year award. Photo: @_rl9 |
Robert Lewandowski who fields for Poland and Bayern Munich has won the Striker Of The Year award. He enjoyed a beautiful 2021, breaking Gerd Muller's long-standing record for the most Bundesliga goals in a single season.
• Congrats to all the winners!
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