Lionel Messi has extended his Ballon d’Or prize to seven after France Football named him the winner of the 2021 edition.
The Argentine defeated major contender Robert Lewandowsky of Bayern Munich to win the 65th edition of the award on Monday at Chatelet Theatre in Paris
Messi has won seven of the award, while his closest rival Cristiano Ronaldo has five Ballon d’Or to his name.
Messi, Lewandowski, Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Jorghinho were the top five finalists.
Since Messi won his first with Barcelona in 2009, the Argentine has always appeared among the top ten contenders.
Apart from Ronaldo, Lionel Messi has only lost the title to Luka Modric in 2018.
Messi won four straight Ballon d’Or from 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. He continued to win the prize in 2015 and 2019.
He ended his spell at Barcelona scoring 28 goals for Barcelona between January and May. He finished his season at Barcelona with 38 goals in all competition.
The Argentina led his team to Copa America where he won his first trophy after three previous defeats.
Lewandowski was also named the Striker of the year at the award night.
In other categories, 19-year-old Pedri of Barcelona was named the Kopa Trophy Winner.
Alexia Putellas Segura of Barcelona was named the winner of the Ballon d’Or Féminin.
The Yachine Trophy awarded to the best goal keeper was won by Italy’s and Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
English side, Chelsea FC won the Club of the Years Trophy after Winning the UEFA Champions League of the 2020-2021 season.