Ballon d'Or 2021 Soccer

[Son Of Jack]

Lionel Messi has won the 2021 men's Ballon d'Or award, the seventh time he has received the accolade.

Messi won the first international trophy of his career earlier this year, as he lifted the Copa America with Argentina. The 34-year-old also enjoyed a resurgent 2021 with Barcelona, before making a shock move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Robert Lewandowski — who won the Striker of the Year award at the awards in Paris — finished second in the men's voting, with Jorginho taking third. Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante rounded out the top five.

Speaking after winning his award, Messi said to Lewandowski: "You deserve your Ballon d'Or. Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner."

Alexia Putellas, meanwhile, claimed the women's award. The Barcelona captain has scored 37 goals and assisted a further 27 so far this year, as well as winning the Champions League and La Liga titles with her club.

Jennifer Hermoso finished second behind club team-mate Putellas in the women's voting, while Chelsea's Sam Kerr, Arsenal's Vivianne Miedema and Barcelona's Lieke Martens were third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Pedr won the Kopa Trophy for best player under-21, while Gianluigi Donnarumma claimed the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper.

The Ballon d'Or is an annual award presented by the France Football magazine.

 

[Tom]

Messi is probably the right choice although Robert Lewandowski has had a couple of phenomenal years in terms of goalscoring and is unfortunate that there was no award last year as he'd definitely have won.

 

[Welshy]

Messi at 70% of his peak is still better than virtually everyone else at 100%.

I think the drop in performances from his prime lead people to think he's not that good anymore. If you look at the individual stats though he still puts up incredible numbers across the board. He's the most technically skilled player in the world, putting up goals and assists, while also being able to dictate a game from deep.

Lewandowski is an incredible goal scorer but his all round game isn't the same. There is no attacking player who has as many strings to his bow as Messi does, even at 34.

I know a lot of people don't agree but I don't think team trophies should count for much in this. It's an individual award and winning the Copa or the Champions League is largely irrelevant.

 

[Fraser]

Lewandowski is an incredible goal scorer but his all round game isn't the same. There is no attacking player who has as many strings to his bow as Messi does, even at 34.

33 goals and 13 assists for Messi at Barcelona and with Argentina in Copa America
29 goals and 3 assists for Lewandowski with Bayern and Poland at the Euros 2020

He contributed more than Lewandowski until Aug 2021 and was the clear favourite. Everyone knows that's the period where Ballon D'Or is decided.

 

[Random Guy]

Besides, Bayern are guaranteed to win the league title every year and Lewandowski starts every season without any competitors for top goal scorer.