Argentina and PSG forward Lionel Messi claimed his seventh Ballon d’Or whereas his close competitor this year, Robert Lewandowski settled with Striker of the Year Award. Messi beat Lewandowski 613-580 in the voting to win the Ballon d’Or 2021. Chelsea midfielder Jorginho finished third, Real Madrid striker, Karim Benzema finished fourth, and another Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante finished fifth in the overall voting. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo finished in sixth place.
The Barcelona legend who joined PSG in August 2021 had finally won his first international trophy, Copa America with Argentina. Argentina defeated Messi’s PSG teammate, Neymar’s Brazil 1-0 in the final. It was Argentina’s first senior title since 1993. He scored four goals and assisted five en route to win his first international trophy. For his performance throughout the tournament, he was named Player of the Tournament. He also won the Golden Boot with four goals. Colombia’s Luis Diaz also scored four but Messi had more assists. Previously, Messi failed to win Copa America, with Argentina finishing runner-up three times.
Source: @Twitter
Messi won Copa del Rey as his final trophy with Barcelona and was the top goalscorer in his last La Liga season. His contract with Barcelona expired in July 2021. New contract negotiations became complicated due to Barcelona’s financial issues. The club announced not to sign a new contract with Messi despite reaching an agreement. He signed a two-year contract with the French club PSG on 10 August, where he joined his former Barcelona teammate, Neymar.
Source: @thesun
Robert Lewandowski Wins Ballon d’Or Inaugural Striker of the Year
The Polish international Robert Lewandowski was awarded the inaugural Striker of the Year award. The Bayern Munich forward had won Bundesliga and DFL-Supercup and Golden Boot in 2021. Many football fans dubbed Lewandowski was robbed of Ballon d’Or when France Football decided not to give the award for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lewandowski had won Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup with Bayern Munich in 2020. He was the top scorer in all three competitions in his treble-winning campaign.
Source: @independent
Gianluigi Donnarumma Wins Yashin Trophy and Pedri Wins Kopa Trophy
Gianluigi Donnarumma of PSG won the Yashin Trophy whereas Pedri of Barcelona was awarded the Kopa Trophy. Donnarumma beat Chelsea goalkeeper, Edouard Mendy to claim the Yashin Trophy. On the other hand, Pedri came ahead of Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, Jamal Musiala of Bayern Munich, Nuno Mendes of PSG to win the Kopa Trophy.
Chelsea was named Best Club of the Year.
Source: @barcablaugranes
Alexia Putellas Wins Ballon d’Or Feminin
Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Feminin 2021, ahead of her Spain and Barcelona teammate, Jennifer Hermoso. The Barcelona captain led Barcelona to win Primera Division, UEFA Women’s Champions League, Copa de la Reina to win the Ballon d’Or Feminin 2021. She was previously named UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, UEFA Women’s Champions League Midfielder of the Season, IFFHS Women’s Player of the Year, and IFFHS Women’s Playmaker of the Year.
Source: @barcablaugranes
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