Winner of the most prestigious individual trophy in professional football in 2019, Lionel Messi received his seventh Ballon d’Or this evening in a scintillating ceremony in Paris.
The Argentinian after having won it four times in a row (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), becomes the winner again in 2015, 2019 and 2021.
Messi was the favorite after winning the Copa America with Argentina earlier this year, although it was one of his least impressive years at club level: Barcelona finished third in La Liga and fell in the first round for a direct elimination from the Champions League.
However, La Pulga scored two goals in the Copa del Rey final and he was La Liga’s top scorer again, before moving to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Polish Robert Lewandowski was expected to win last year’s award, but it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Bayern Munich striker was in contention again.
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Another contender was Chelsea’s Jorginho, having won the Champions League with his club and Euro 2020 with his country Italy a few months later.
Still, Leo, 34, is once again rewarded by France Football magazine this Monday, November 29, 2021.
Tonight’s event is also marked by the granting of new awards: The best club of the year, won by Chelsea and the best striker of the year awarded to Robert Lewandowski.
Source: AfrikPage