Twitter explodes as Lionel Messi wins record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Argentina forward Lionel Messi has won a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or award. The Argentine beat Robert Lewandowski to the prestigious individual honor and was rewarded for a remarkable campaign with club and country.
Notably, Lionel Messi won the Copa America, his first major title with Argentina, back in July. It came at the end of an impressive individual season with Barcelona, where he netted 38 goals and registered 14 assists in all competitions.
Courtesy of his performances, Lionel Messi was able to edge Lewandowski in the race for the 2021 Ballon d'Or. The 34-year-old became the first ever PSG player to win the Ballon d'Or after the achievement. Lionel Messi was present at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris alongside his family and hailed the occasion.
Lewandowski finished second, while the likes of Jorginho, Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante made up the rest of the top five in the race for the Ballon d'Or. Notably, Lionel Messi's eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo finished outside the top five after being ranked sixth in the Ballon d'Or standings.
The record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or win has now propelled Lionel Messi to unparalleled heights. The Argentine has aged like a fine wine and is showing no signs of slowing down. Considering he has now finally ended his wait for a major trophy with Argentina, Lionel Messi will have his sights set firmly on the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Should he enjoy another remarkable campaign for club and country this season, it wouldn't be a surprise to witness him add to hs record Ballon d'Or triumphs.
Several other awards were also handed out at the Ballon d'Or ceremony
In addition to the men's Ballon d'Or, as many as five other awards were also handed out at in Paris. Lewandowski was adjudged 'Best striker of the year', while Chelsea won 'Club of the year' - two newly established awards. Meanwhile, the women's Ballon d'Or award was won by Alexia Putellas of Barcelona.
Pedri and Gianluigi Donnarumma were the recipients of the Kopa and Yachine Trophies respectively.
Lionel Messi was handed the Ballon d'Or award by former team-mate and close friend Luis Suarez. The diminutive forward also stated a desire to keep pushing himself and winning more accolades in the future.
In the wake of Lionel Messi winning the 2021 Ballon d'Or, several fans from across the globe sent Twitter into a frenzy with their reactions. On that note, here are the best tweets that surfaced after the announcement:
When Luis Suarez gives the #ballondor to Messi! https://t.co/uUHhMgtVfR
Just wait until Messi & Ronaldo retire and how worse the debates will be for the #BallonDor
Lionel Messi brings home a seventh #BallonDor trophy! https://t.co/JjTVwtiorK
Leo Messi: “Today I’m here in Paris. I am very happy, really very happy, I really want to continue to fight and reach new objectives. I don't know how many more years but I am really enjoying myself. I thank my team-mates at Barça, Paris & Argentina”. 🇦🇷 #Messi @psghub https://t.co/0hxAHOas0U
Lionel Messi.
Seven Ballons d'Or.
OUT OF THIS WORLD 👽 https://t.co/jCOU7Ff4g1
Lionel Messi: "I especially want to thank the squad and the coaching staff of the Argentina national team. I was able to achieve the dream I wanted so much. In the end, it happened and this award is in large part of what we did at the Copa America. This is part of them." https://t.co/E0gWaGc89g
Simply the best... 🐐
#BallonDor https://t.co/waP4zkRpns
Messi’s kids reactions says it all 😍 https://t.co/qD2IxI7fOD
Your GOAT can’t keep up! #LionelMessi 🐐 https://t.co/69BRllxlRl
Sixth-place Ronaldo finishes outside the top five in the Ballon d’Or for the first time since 2010 https://t.co/l64i6AChQJ
Even God rested on the Seventh day,
So Messi can Rest now
#BallonDor https://t.co/GrRaeqr6l2
Suarez holding a ballon d’Or before #lewandowski is just ultimate violation 🤣🤣🤣🤣.
#ballondor #messi7 https://t.co/ksONBVY5VA
TheThe debate is over. #Messi #BallonDor #LM7 https://t.co/CH9rBh74o7
Messi took it personal 🤕
#BallonDor https://t.co/LaiShXoOaY
The Eiffel Tower shines as a tribute to Leo Messi's historic triumph 👏🐐 https://t.co/68uZfewYov
How many times has Lionel Messi won the #BallonDor? https://t.co/CLFkdAsQI6
Leo Messi has finished football:
Most Ballon d'ors in history
Most Golden Boots in history
Most play maker awards in history
Most Assists in history
Second most trophies in history (only Alves has more)
Undisputed GOAT of the game 🙌🏻 https://t.co/ttHVjM0AFk
From switching to rep Ronaldo, Mbappe, Kante, Jorginho, Benzema and Lewandowski, his haters cried over the entire year saying he was finished only for him to end up lifting his 7th Ballandor.
Leo Messi, the greatest to ever grace this beautiful game.🐐❤️ #LM7 https://t.co/GuqTuVPftR
There will NEVER be a player better than Lionel Messi. https://t.co/ueoePFNFai
LeoLeo Messi is the ONLY player to win #BallonDor in three different decades:
2000s:✅
2010s:✅
2020s✅
GOAT 🐐 https://t.co/LZdb7OnInb
Messi: how many ballon D'OR's
Ronaldo👇🏼👇🏼 https://t.co/90kgOVeBNk
I RONALDO aka Siuuuuu, I deserve morethan this fgs 5th?
I'm better than MESSI 🐐
#BallonDor https://t.co/ZyjAbWxLJA
Mark it somewhere on this day. Next yr Messi is winning his Balon D'or number 8.
𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐲... 😢
#BallonDor #BalondeOro
#LLL
🧡🇪🇸⚽️ https://t.co/s5ekk6pQP0
Classement et points du Top 5 :
1️⃣ 🇦🇷 Lionel Messi (613 pts)
2️⃣ 🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski (580 pts)
3️⃣ 🇮🇹 Jorginho (460 pts)
4️⃣ 🇫🇷 Karim Benzema (239 pts)
5️⃣ 🇫🇷 N'Golo Kanté (186 pts)
Lionel Messi's 2020/21 LaLiga season:
◉ Most goals + assists
◉ Most goals
◉ Most shots
◉ Most chances created
◉ Most take-ons completed
Lionel Messi's 2021 Copa América:
◉ Most goals + assists
◉ Most assists
◉ Most shots
◉ Most through balls
#BallondOr https://t.co/RKmC0sRbzc