Messi Wins Ballon d’Or For Record Seventh Time

Lionel Messi of Argentina received his seventh Ballon d’Or award Thursday evening in Paris in a glittering 2021 ceremony.

Messi was crowned champion ahead of Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, Chelsea’s Jorginho, Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Chelsea’s N’golo Kante, and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

He was awarded the trophy in part because to his international success in the Copa America.

Argentina won the Copa America in July, defeating Brazil 1–0 in the final, marking the forward’s first major prize after finishing second in the championship three times, including the 2014 World Cup.

The Argentine would have the joint-most goals (4), chances created (21), goal contributions (9), assists (5), shots (28), and shots on goal (11), as well as the most goal contributions (9), assists (5), shots (28), and shots on goal (11), a normally impactful performance that earned him a trophy this time.

Before joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, he scored two goals to help Barcelona win the Copa del Rey and was La Liga’s top goalscorer.