Lionel Messi beats Robert Lewandowski for Ballon d’Or 2021 award for a record 7th time, Chelsea Wins Club Of the Year.

Lionel Messi has won the men’s 2021 Ballon d’Or, and a record seventh trophy, at an awards ceremony in Paris on Monday evening.

Messi, 34, held off the challenge of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Chelsea’s Jorginho to collect the prize and move two clear in his long-running battle with five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo, who was among the 30 players shortlisted but did not feature in the top three for the first time in 11 years.

Messi was the favourite to collect the award after winning the Copa America with Argentina earlier this year – his first major international trophy – despite one of his less impressive periods at club level: Barcelona finished third in La Liga and fell in the first knockout round of the Champions League. However, Messi scored two goals as Barca won the Copa del Rey final and he was La Liga’s top goalscorer once more, before switching to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

Lewandowski did pick up the consolation prize of the newly formed Striker of the Year award, while the Women’s Ballon d’Or went to Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas.

Further awards went to Gianluigi Donnarumma for the Yashin Trophy of best goalkeeper, to Barcelona midfielder Pedri as the starlet was handed the Kopa Trophy and another new award went to Chelsea for Club of the Year for their on-pitch achievements with both men’s and women’s teams. 

 MESSI GIVES LEWANDOWSKI A MENTION

"I don't know how many years I have left, but I hope there will still be many because I am having enormous fun," Messi said at the France Football ceremony where he picked up his seventh Ballon d'Or before praising Lewandowski, who was the favourite to win the 2020 Ballon d'Or until it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"You deserve your Ballon d'Or," the Argentine added. "Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner."

 LEGEND!

Messi has made history this evening by winning a SEVENTH Ballon d'Or! What a player he is! Is he the greatest of all time? His record in this award certainly suggests so!

The 34-year-old won this award for the first time back in 2009. Luis Suarez is now on stage to hand Messi the trophy.

MESSI WINS THE 2021 BALLON D'OR!

Lionel Messi has won an historic seventh Ballon d’Or after picking up the prestigious individual award at a ceremony in Paris.

The 34-year-old has now won the Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021, meaning he has lifted the prize handed to the best player in world football more times than any other male player in its history, two clear of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi beat out Robert Lewandowski who finished in second place and Chelsea midfielder Jorghino who was ranked third in the voting.

Leo Messi (PSG)

Image credit: Getty Images

20:50 - CHELSEA ARE CLUB OF THE YEAR

2021 was a memorable one for Chelsea and they have been handed the award for the Club of the Year!

Of course, Thomas Tuchel's team won the Champions League and are top of the Premier League while Emma Hayes' side made the final of the Women's Champions League last season.

20:47 - KANTE 5TH, BENZ 4TH, JORGINHO 3RD!

Two Chelsea players in the top five of the 2021 Ballon d'Or! N'Golo Kante is ranked fifth with Jorginho, who had been tipped to win the award after success with Chelsea and Italy, in third place!

Karim Benzema split the two after an exceptional year for France and Real Madrid!

Jorginho bacia la Champions League vinta con il Chelsea nella stagione 2020-21

Image credit: Getty Images

20:40 - DONNARUMMA WINS YASHIN TROPHY!

Italy and PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has won the 2021 Yashin Trophy, beating out Chelsea's Edouard Mendy who had been tipped for the award.

Donnarumma won the Best Player award at Euro 2020 and made the switch from AC Milan to the French capital in the summer.

20:35 - CR7 IN 6TH!

There will be no sixth Ballon d'Or for Cristiano Ronaldo this evening with the Portuguese forward finishing sixth in the ranking!

Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid poses for photos with his FIFA Ballon Dor Trophies

Image credit: Getty Images

20:30 - KDB 8TH, SALAH 7TH!

Kevin de Bruyne has been ranked sixth in the Ballon d'Or voting with Mohamed Salah in seventh place! Both players have enjoyed brilliant years with Salah arguably in the form of his life right now!

Of course, de Bruyne helped Manchester City to their third Premier League title in four years.

20:15 - PUTELLAS WINS WOMEN'S BALLON D'OR!

Barcelona Femeni's Alexia Putellas has won the 2021 Women's Ballon d'Or following an exceptional season which saw her help her club to the 2020/21 Champions League title!

Jennifer Hermoso finished in second place in the voting with Chelsea's Sam Kerr rounding off the top three!