Lionel Messi scoops record 7th Ballon d’Or

Lionel Messi has picked up his seventh Ballon d’Or. He has snatched away the most prestigious individual award of football from Robert Lewandowski. 

The 34-year-old has now won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021 which means he has lifted the prize more times than any other player in football history.

The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star is now two triumphs clear of eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo who won the award five times. This year Ronaldo has finished outside of the top three for the first time since 2010.

"It's incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa America was key", Messi said at Paris's Theatre du Chatelet.

Messi played really well for his former club (Barcelona) and country. He almost single-handedly dragged Barcelona and won Copa del Rey. He claimed his first major international trophy as Argentina won Copa America this year. He was named Player of the Tournament and won the Golden Boot as well.

The Argentine legend scored 41 goals and 17 assists to his name. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s goal record might not match that of Lewandowski's, but his performance in Barcelona and Argentina kit was furious.

Lewandowski was expected to win last year’s award but it was canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak. This year with 64 goals and 10 assists, the Bayern Munich striker was in the race. But his country did not perform well in the Euro 2020 which helped Messi to lift the seventh. 

Chelsea’s Jorginho finished third. He won the Champions League with his club and Euro 2020 with his country Italy a couple of months later.