The Ballon d’Or 2021  Rankings marked another dramatic chapter in the duel for footballing supremacy.

The French magazine France Football organizes an annual ceremony in Paris to announce the best player in the world each year, a tradition that began with the first edition in 1956, before introducing several other awards in recent years.

Last year was the only year the Ballon d’Or ceremony was not held, as France Football decided to cancel it due to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the suspension of some European leagues, citing the lack of fairness among all competitors

Who Was Crowned Ballon d’Or 2021?

Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or 2021, marking his seventh career triumph and extending his record as the player with the most Ballon d’Or titles in history.

Messi’s 2021 triumph earned him his seventh Ballon d’Or, further extending his record and cementing his place as one of the greatest players in football history. 

The award was not just about statistics but also about his enduring legacy as a player who combines effectiveness with unmatched elegance.

As for Lewandowski, despite missing out on the trophy, he solidified his reputation as the best pure striker in the world, sparking ongoing debates about the fairness of the voting criteria.

Messi Ballon d’Or Winner 2021– Why He Deserved It

Lionel Messi played a decisive role in leading the Argentina national team to victory in the 2021 Copa América, their first major title in 28 years. He delivered an exceptional year, finishing the tournament as both the top scorer and top assist provider, while also being awarded Player of the Tournament, reaffirming his status as the foremost leader of his national team.

At club level, Messi ended his final season with Barcelona as La Liga’s top scorer with 30 goals, proving his consistency despite the challenges and his emotional departure after two decades.

With his dribbling, creativity, and decisive passes, Messi remained the player capable of changing the course of any match.

Comparisons with Lewandowski

• Robert Lewandowski was also extraordinary in 2021, breaking the legendary Gerd Müller’s record by scoring 41 goals in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.

His prolific scoring made him Messi’s strongest rival, as he led Bayern to another league title.

However, voters considered Messi’s influence broader, especially with his long-awaited international success in the Copa América, combined with his artistry and vision on the pitch.

While Lewandowski was recognized as an unstoppable goal machine, Messi embodied the complete player — equally capable of creating and finishing chances.

Don’t miss: Ballon d’Or 2019 Rankings: Messi or Ronaldo?

Ballon d’Or Rankings 2021: Top 10 Players

Order	Player	Club	Nationality	Points
1	Lionel Messi	Paris Saint-Germain	Argentina	613
2	Robert Lewandowski	Bayern Munich	Poland	580
3	Jorginho	Chelsea	Italy	460
4	Karim Benzema	Real Madrid	France	239
5	N’Golo Kanté	Chelsea	France	186
6	Cristiano Ronaldo	Juventus, Manchester United	Portugal	178
7	Mohamed Salah	Liverpool	Egypt	121
8	Kevin De Bruyne	Manchester City	Belgium	73
9	Kylian Mbappé	Paris Saint-Germain	France	58
10	Gianluigi Donnarumma	Milan, Paris Saint-Germain	Italy	36

Read also: Ballon d’Or 2018 Rankings Revealed

Beyond the Top 10 & Key Takeaways

While the top 10 players grabbed most of the spotlight, the voting list included many more outstanding performers.

Many argued Robert Lewandowski deserved the award, as he broke Gerd Müller’s long-standing Bundesliga scoring record, netting 41 league goals in a single season.

Jorginho’s historic year saw him win both the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea and Euro 2020 with Italy, placing him firmly in the top three.

Cristiano Ronaldo maintained a top-10 finish despite a turbulent season, showing his continued influence at the elite level.

Mohamed Salah’s impressive form in the Premier League earned him recognition, keeping an African star in the top tier of world football.