Messi wins record seventh Ballon d’Or

Paris St-Germain and Argentina forward Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or – awarded to the best footballer of the year – for a record seventh time.

Messi, 34, helped his country win the Copa America, his first international honour, and has scored 40 goals in 2021 – 28 for Barcelona, four for Paris St-Germain and eight for Argentina.

Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski came second, Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was third and Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema finished fourth.

• Putellas wins Women's Ballon d'Or

The Ballon d'Or is voted for by 180 journalists from around the world, although there was no award in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo (five wins) collected the award every year from 2008 to 2019, apart from in 2018 when Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won it.

Messi had already won the trophy more times than any other player and his seventh success comes after wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.

"It's incredible to be here again," he said at the ceremony, held at Paris's Theatre du Chatelet.

"Two years ago I thought it was the last time. People were starting to ask me when I was going to retire but now I'm here in Paris and very happy.

"It's a special year for me with this Copa America title. It meant a lot to win [1-0 against Brazil in the final] at the Maracana stadium and I was so happy to celebrate with the people from Argentina.

"I don't know if it's the best year of my life – I've had a long career – but it was a special one with the title with Argentina after the tough times and the criticism."

Messi also had warm words for the runner-up, 33-year-old Poland captain Lewandowski.

"I wanted to say to Robert that it was an honour to go up against him," said Messi. "He deserved to win it last year."

Lewandowski scored 53 goals in all competitions in 2021 for Bayern and was awarded the Striker of the Year prize, a new award that was only announced hours before the ceremony began.

Paris St-Germain's Gianluigi Donnarumma, who helped Italy win Euro 2020, won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper, while Champions League winners Chelsea were named Club of the Year.

Barcelona midfielder Pedri, 19, won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21, with England internationals Jude Bellingham, Mason Greenwood and Bukayo Saka coming second, fifth and sixth respectively.

Fourteen of the 30 players shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or currently play in the Premier League.

Chelsea had five players represented, with third-placed Jorginho joined by N'Golo Kante in fifth, Romelu Lukaku in 12th, Mason Mount in 19th and Cesar Azpilicueta, who tied for 29th.

Premier League champions Manchester City had the same number as Kevin de Bruyne came eighth, Raheem Sterling 15th, Riyad Mahrez 20th, Phil Foden 25th and Ruben Dias 26th.

Manchester United pair Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were sixth and tied for 21st respectively, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was seventh and Tottenham's Harry Kane 23rd.

Lionel Messi was the joint top goalscorer in the Copa America as Argentina won to give him his first international honour

Ballon d'Or results

1. Lionel Messi (Paris St-Germain/Argentina, forward)
2. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland, forward)
3. Jorginho (Chelsea/Italy, midfielder)
4. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France, forward)
5. N'Golo Kante (Chelsea/France, midfielder)
6. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/Portugal, forward)
7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt, forward)
8. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City/Belgium, midfielder)
9. Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain/France, forward)
10. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St-Germain/Italy, goalkeeper)
11. Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund/Norway, forward)
12. Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea/Belgium, forward)
13. Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus/Italy, defender)
14. Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy, defender)
15. Raheem Sterling (Manchester City/England, forward)
16. Neymar (Paris St-Germain/Brazil, forward)
17. Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid/Uruguay, forward)
18. Simon Kjaer (AC Milan/Denmark, defender)
19. Mason Mount (Chelsea/England, midfielder)
20. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City/Algeria, forward)
21. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/Portugal, midfielder), tied with Lautauro Martinez (Inter Milan/Argentina, forward)
22. –
23. Harry Kane (Tottenham/England, forward)
24. Pedri (Barcelona/Spain, midfielder)
25. Phil Foden (Manchester City/England, forward)
26. Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan/Italy, midfielder), tied with Ruben Dias (Manchester City/Portugal, defender) and Gerard Moreno (Villarreal/Spain, forward)
27. –
28. –
29. Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia, midfielder), tied with Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/Spain, defender)
30. –

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2562 commentsShowLatestOldestHighest RatedMost Replied

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  Comment posted by Username321, at 21:01 29 NovUsername321

  21:01 29 NovUndeserved, Lewandowski should have won.1363119

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    Reply posted by Dad, at 21:08 29 NovDad

    21:08 29 Novto Username321"Undeserved, Lewandowski should have won."Dad replied: I think this award is for bankrupting Barcelona61168

  More replies (92)down

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  Comment posted by T on the wing, at 21:06 29 NovT on the wing

  21:06 29 NovTell me Jorginho is the third best player in the world while keeping a straight face85828

  • A
    

    Reply posted by Aminur, at 21:08 29 NovAminur

    21:08 29 Novto T on the wing"Tell me Jorginho is the third best player in the world while keeping a straight face"Aminur replied: Sancho should have won give his easily he took the ball off the 3rd best player to score yesterday18291

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  Comment posted by tony1984, at 21:02 29 Novtony1984

  21:02 29 NovLewandoski got robbed.. Again86278

  • T
    

    Reply posted by tony1984, at 21:05 29 Novtony1984

    21:05 29 Novto tony1984"Lewandoski got robbed.. Again"tony1984 replied: Lewandowski..26380

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  Comment posted by aa6idp25, at 21:02 29 Novaa6idp25

  21:02 29 NovPlastic competition, no credibility.74639

  • B
    

    Reply posted by bolt, at 21:21 29 Novbolt

    21:21 29 Novto aa6idp25"Plastic competition, no credibility."bolt replied: lewa scored 71 goals and 10 assist in 58 games(since last season) . messi 42 goals in 58 games. Lewa rips messi in the goals but he plays center forward for bayern munich while messi played midfield/right wing for trash barca side. Lewa won 4 domestic trophies and messi won 1 domestic trophy and copa. Even though messi was top scorer,best player,most assist at copa lewa edges him. Messi btw14767

  More replies (28)down

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  Comment posted by Tiddlywinks, at 21:02 29 NovTiddlywinks

  21:02 29 NovJust goes to show what a farce these awards are. Messi first hhahaahahahah that’s embarrassing. He shouldn’t even be in top 3. Salah 7th is a joke. God knows how Benzema gets in the top 5 again. Seems to get a fee pass cause he plays for Madrid. Lewandoski should have won60271

  • J
    

    Reply posted by JuliusCaesarWasASocialist, at 21:11 29 NovJuliusCaesarWasASocialist

    21:11 29 Novto Tiddlywinks"Just goes to show what a farce these awards are. Messi first hhahaahahahah that’s embarrassing. He shouldn’t even be in top 3. Salah 7th is a joke. God knows how Benzema gets in the top 5 again. Seems to get a fee pass cause he plays for Madrid. Lewandoski should have won"JuliusCaesarWasASocialist replied: Benzema is one of the few who deserves his place.

    Honestly if you took out everyone in the list who’s team won the Champions League or international trophy you’d have a much better and accurate list.11065

  More replies (33)down

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  Comment posted by Cymraes27, at 21:04 29 NovCymraes27

  21:04 29 NovIt’s a joke. Should have been between Lewandowski and Salah. How on earth Ronaldo was consider above Salah is beyond me. The French journalists must have picked Messi purely based on him playing for PSG now53459

  • C
    

    Reply posted by Celts, at 21:25 29 NovCelts

    21:25 29 Novto Cymraes27"It’s a joke. Should have been between Lewandowski and Salah. How on earth Ronaldo was consider above Salah is beyond me. The French journalists must have picked Messi purely based on him playing for PSG now"Celts replied: It’s not journalists, captains and managers from international teams are the ones who vote.55149

  More replies (47)down

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  Comment posted by the govan lie machine, at 21:05 29 Novthe govan lie machine

  21:05 29 NovAs much as I love Messi as a player, this result stinks, he has done nothing of note the past 12 months whereas Lewandowski has been on fire, truly awful decision.49744

  • A
    

    Reply posted by Arch Stanton, at 21:18 29 NovArch Stanton

    21:18 29 Novto the govan lie machine"As much as I love Messi as a player, this result stinks, he has done nothing of note the past 12 months whereas Lewandowski has been on fire, truly awful decision."Arch Stanton replied: How many would Messi bag if he played for Bayern?60120

  More replies (38)down

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  Comment posted by James, at 21:02 29 NovJames

  21:02 29 NovJorginho finished 3rd… this sport might actually be finished33134

  • Y
    

    Reply posted by YvesCFC, at 21:04 29 NovYvesCFC

    21:04 29 Novto James"Jorginho finished 3rd… this sport might actually be finished"YvesCFC replied: Won the CL and Euros with Italy, more deserving than Messi for sure!!143164

  More replies (23)down

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  Comment posted by BeanieBoi, at 21:03 29 NovBeanieBoi

  21:03 29 NovLewandowski got robbed.29322

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    Reply posted by Celts, at 21:45 29 NovCelts

    21:45 29 Novto BeanieBoi"Lewandowski got robbed."Celts replied: I agree Lewandowski deserved to win. But people are going a bit overboard against Messi. He still got 41 goals and 17 assists in 2021. And that was despite playing for an awful Barca team.

    Not to mention he was player of the tournament when Argentina won the Copa America!!

    He’s still one of the best players in the world. But yeah, Lewandowski should have won.16624

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  Comment posted by T on the wing, at 21:04 29 NovT on the wing

  21:04 29 NovWonderful player but come on, should have been Lewandowski every day of the week.

  Plus he’s been well below par since joining the band of mercenaries at Qatar FC.23313

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    Reply posted by Alfie Noakes, at 22:00 29 NovAlfie Noakes

    22:00 29 Novto T on the wing"Wonderful player but come on, should have been Lewandowski every day of the week.Plus he’s been well below par since joining the band of mercenaries at Qatar FC."Alfie Noakes replied: Every day except Monday apparently.441

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  Comment posted by Acerbity, at 21:05 29 NovAcerbity

  21:05 29 NovIt’s like Music ‘Awards’. Free publicity and completely pointless.1966

  • W
    

    Reply posted by Wormhole, at 22:25 29 NovWormhole

    22:25 29 Novto Acerbity"It’s like Music ‘Awards’. Free publicity and completely pointless."Wormhole replied: 🐔
    🏀
    I’m in shock. I can’t believe that Harry Kane didn’t win it. It’s obvious to everybody that he’s the greatest striker on the planet, playing for the best team in the universe…
    … Well that’s what the deluded trophy-dodging spuds “fans” will be squealing for weeks on end.5489

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  Comment posted by guy123, at 21:05 29 Novguy123

  21:05 29 NovThat is fixed. No way he deserves it, Lewandowski deserves it.17419

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  Comment posted by chrismcd, at 21:23 29 Novchrismcd

  21:23 29 NovHow the hell did messi win that? I’m a Chelsea fan and I think lewandowski was robbed here. And that useless melt Jorginho 3rd above Kante, salah? Please do me a favour!16421

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    Reply posted by superfurryanimal, at 23:11 29 Novsuperfurryanimal

    23:11 29 Novto chrismcd"How the hell did messi win that? I’m a Chelsea fan and I think lewandowski was robbed here. And that useless melt Jorginho 3rd above Kante, salah? Please do me a favour!"superfurryanimal replied: jorginho has been class the last couple of seasons he makes one mistake and he’s useless now all of a sudden isnt he.1553

  More replies (11)down

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  Comment posted by Una, at 21:05 29 NovUna

  21:05 29 NovRobert Lewandowski has been head and shoulders above everyone this year….. this result is a travesty!14516

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    Reply posted by KLOPP OUT, at 23:04 29 NovKLOPP OUT

    23:04 29 Novto Una"Robert Lewandowski has been head and shoulders above everyone this year….. this result is a travesty!"KLOPP OUT replied: Salah #1 and its not even close ☝️4184

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  Comment posted by Miffsky, at 21:01 29 NovMiffsky

  21:01 29 NovWhat a travesty.14619

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    Reply posted by Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa, at 22:28 29 NovSpilled-wine-on-costly-sofa

    22:28 29 Novto Miffsky"What a travesty."Spilled-wine-on-costly-sofa replied: The problem lies with the 180 journalists around the world who do the voting. I’d like to believe most have no clue about football. I’m absolutely sure that deep down Messi himself is surprised by the award. Totally undeserved! Messi should do the right thing and hand it back to Lewandowski to shame the muppets who voted him (Messi).8215

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  Comment posted by Vikram, at 21:04 29 NovVikram

  21:04 29 Novembarrassing1178

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    Reply posted by Lets Agree To Disagree, at 23:11 29 NovLets Agree To Disagree

    23:11 29 Novto Vikram"embarrassing"Lets Agree To Disagree replied: Just a beauty contest, no need to give anything more than a passing glance at this award.371

• L
  

  Comment posted by Luciano 666, at 21:07 29 NovLuciano 666

  21:07 29 NovCorruption!1128

• S
  

  Comment posted by SamuelJones, at 21:01 29 NovSamuelJones

  21:01 29 NovWhat a joke, one of his poorest years on record by his playing standard.10813

  • A
    

    Reply posted by ArthurTwoSheds, at 21:06 29 NovArthurTwoSheds

    21:06 29 Novto SamuelJones"What a joke, one of his poorest years on record by his playing standard."ArthurTwoSheds replied: His poorest season maybe but it just highlights the ridiculous standards he sets as it would be almost anyone elses best season.61106

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  Comment posted by bubbadoo, at 21:05 29 Novbubbadoo

  21:05 29 NovAbsolute madness who makes this decision . lewandowski should have won and ronaldo. Better thAn salah total stupidity10117

  • E
    

    Reply posted by elhaddadi, today at 01:48elhaddadi

    01:48to bubbadoo"Absolute madness who makes this decision . lewandowski should have won and ronaldo. Better thAn salah total stupidity"elhaddadi replied: No last season even Kane was better than salah but salah was rated ahead of kane
    If you think salah should be ahead of Ronaldo I’m sorry to say you don’t watch football
    What individual accolades did salah have last season compare to Ronaldo
    Don’t you think kane should be ahead of salah they both went without a cup but kane was the top scorer and assist provider of the season653

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  Comment posted by YvesCFC, at 21:02 29 NovYvesCFC

  21:02 29 NovThe fact that Lewandowski didn’t win despite having a better year than Messi is ridiculous and just shows how biased they are towards Ronaldo and Messi. Even Jorginho was more deserving of the award than Messi.10343

  • C
    

    Reply posted by canaries23, at 21:07 29 Novcanaries23

    21:07 29 Novto YvesCFC"The fact that Lewandowski didn’t win despite having a better year than Messi is ridiculous and just shows how biased they are towards Ronaldo and Messi. Even Jorginho was more deserving of the award than Messi."canaries23 replied: Was agreeing with you until the ridiculous Jorginho comment13619

  More replies (10)down

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