Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi clinched a seventh Ballon d’Or, extending his record as the player to have won the individual accolade on the most occasions.
The 34-year-old enjoyed a fruitful year at club level, scoring 32 times in 40 appearances across all competitions for PSG and Barcelona, but it was his exploits with Argentina that were most impressive, claiming the first major international trophy of his career by winning the Copa America.
Bayern Munich’s prolific striker Robert Lewandowski came second to Messi, but became the first winner of the Striker of the Year award after outscoring every player in Europe’s top five leagues, netting 53 times in 42 appearances across all competitions so far in 2021, averaging a goal every 67 minutes.
Messi’s PSG team-mate Gianluigi Donnarumma claimed the Yashin Trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper, and was named 10th in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Donnarumma starred for Italy as they won Euro 2020, making a number of crucial saves in the shoot-out victory over England in the final.
Barcelona and Spain youngster Pedri won the Kopa Trophy after featuring heavily for club and country despite only turning 19 on November 25, also being shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or and finishing 24th.
Another Barca midfielder, Alexia Putellas, picked up the women’s top prize, having helped the Catalan giants’ women’s team to Champions League and domestic glory in 2020-21.
Finally, Chelsea had 11 players nominated across all categories, making them the inaugural Club of the Year winners.
Award winners in full:
Men’s Ballon d’Or – Lionel Messi (PSG and Argentina)
Kopa Trophy – Pedri (Barcelona and Spain)
Yashin Trophy – Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG and Italy)
Club of the Year – Chelsea (England)
Striker of the Year – Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich and Poland)
Women’s Ballon d’Or – Alexia Putellas (Barcelona and Spain)
