2 reasons why Messi beat Lewandowski and Ronaldo to the 2021 Ballon d’Or
Paris Saint-Germain striker Lionel Messi has won the 2021 FIFA Ballon d’Or. He was announced the winner at the ceremony held on Monday night in front of past and present footballers, coaches, and administrators.
Football lovers in 170 countries across the world tuned in to watch the event live.
Messi came first ahead of Bayern Munich top scorer Robert Lewandowski to win his record 7th Best player award, confirming him as the greatest of all time in football history.
Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo did not attend the even as he sighted club commitment, but it is believed he already knew he lost the award to the Argentina captain.
While Messi, Ronaldo, and Lewandowski are all great players in their right, specific differences made the former Barcelona captain stand out from the rest.
Here are two reasons why Messi beat Ronaldo and Lewandowski to win his 7th award.
- Copa America Champions: Messi captained Argentina to win the Copa America Cup last summer.
While none of these three players won the Champions League for their respective clubs – Barcelona, Juventus, and Bayern Munich, only Messi won a trophy for his country.
He did not just win the Copa America trophy, he emerged as the top scorer with four goals and the player with the highest number of assists at the tournament.
Ronaldo did not win a trophy with Portugal neither did Lewandowski win with Poland during the period under review.
- People’s favourite: In 2019, Messi won the last edition of the award held before the global outbreak of Coronavirus which ensure the 2020 edition was not held.
Lewandowski would have won the 2020 award if it was held because Messi was really struggling at Barcelona at the time.
But being the People’s favourite, the 34 years old was no doubt voted for after winning the Copa America Cup with his country.
Ronaldo is already 36 and may now have given up on equalling Messi’s feat.
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