Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for the seventh time in his career, it was revealed at Monday night’s ceremony. The 34-year-old attacker is mainly rewarded with the win of the Ballon d’Or for his performance with Argentina. The award was presented to him by friend and former teammate Luis Suárez. Strikingly, Messi addresses Robert Lewandowski in his acknowledgment, who, according to the Argentinian, should have won the prize last year. However, the election was canceled in 2020.
“It’s great to be here again,” Messi said after being presented with the trophy by Suarez. “Two years ago I didn’t know what was going to happen, and yet here I am again. Today I am in Paris, I am very happy. I want to keep fighting for my goals and taking on new challenges. I don’t know how long I’ll be playing, but I hope it’s a long time because I love the game.”
Luis Suarez remet le Ballon d’Or à Leo Messi ????? Le direct : https://t.co/SFY8b6XzdH#balloondor pic.twitter.com/ffzTJGRbnf
— la chaine L’Équipe (@lachainelequipe) Nov 29, 2021
“I would like to thank all my teammates from Barca, PSG and Argentina. Something was always missing, but this year was different,” Messi refers to the fact that last summer, after three lost finals in the form of the Copa América, he finally won his first major prize with la Albiceleste grabbed. “I was able to make the dream come true. It’s a special night for me. It is an honor to compete against Lewandowski. You were the winner of the Ballon d’Or last year and France Football should give you that price. You were just a top player, and you should have the prize too,” Messi concludes.
Messi will be preferred in the election over competitors such as Lewandowski, Mohamed Salah, Karim Benzema and Jorginho. Lewandowski did take home the title Striker of the Year, which was suddenly introduced this year. With seven Ballon d’Or elections, Messi holds the record; Cristiano Ronaldo has won the trophy five times. The latter finished in sixth place this time.