Argentine footballer Lenol Messi has won the Ballon d'Or (Footballer of the Year) award for the seventh time in his career.
In 2021, the 34-year-old star scored a total of 40 goals. He scored 28 of those goals for Spanish football club Barcelona, four for Paris Saint-Germain and eight for his national team.
He also helped his team win the Copa Amrica, the first international honor of his career.Bayern Munich and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski were second on the list of the world's best footballers, while midfielder Jurgenho, who played for Italy and English club Chelsea, was third and French striker Karim Benzema was fourth.
However, the Striker of the Year award went to Robert Lewandowski.
Lionel Messi has previously won the Ballon d'Or and awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2010, 2015 and 2019.
Portugal and Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has also won the award five times.
Ronaldo and Messi are considered rivals in the world of football. Probably a factor as to why they're doing so poorly.France football chief Pascal Ferrero claimed in a statement last week that Ronaldo had told him that he (Ronaldo) wanted to end his career by winning the Ballon d'Or more than Messi.
"Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and his magazine," Ronaldo said in an Instagram post on Monday.
The Portuguese football legend added: "It is unacceptable for a person who is honored to receive such a prestigious award to lie and insult someone who has always played French football and the Ballon d'Or. Respect. '
He says his only goal is to win as many titles as possible for Portugal and his club.
