Way back in 2012, when a young Leo Messi had won his second-ever Ballon d’Or, Barcelona & Dutch legend, Johan Cryuff had made a huge prediction about the Argentine.
In an interview with Diario Ole, Cryuff stated, “He (Messi) will be the one with the most Ballon d’Ors ever in history. Probably he’ll win five, six, or seven Ballon d’Or, he’s incomparable, he plays in another league”.Β
After a one year absence in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, France Football resumed, awarding the Ballon d’Or after they announced the prestigious award ceremony was set to be held in the Chatelet Theatre in Paris on November 29 (CET).
HERE IS THE WINNER!
SEVEN BALLON DβOR FOR LIONEL MESSI! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/U2SywJmruC
— Ballon d'Or #ballondor (@francefootball) November 29, 2021
As tradition holds among football fans across the world, speculations on the winner of the 2021 Ballon d’Or were discussed and debated upon, with the favourites being Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi & Jorginho, as all three had an amazing year, with Messi winning his first major international trophy with Argentina in the Copa America 2021, Jorginho having a fantastic season after winning the Euro’s 2021 and the UEFA Champions League, along with Lewandowski, who, according to football fans, was snubbed off of the Ballon d’Or last year, despite being the clear favourite after achieving an incredible domestic season and winning the UEFA Champions League.
However, Cryuff’s, 2012 prophecy seemed to come true as Messi was awarded a record, 7th Ballon d’Or, edging away from runners up, Lewandowski and Jorginho, after a strange year for the Argentine, who left his beloved club, FC Barcelona, due to financial issues within the club, and joined the Parisians under Mauricio Pochettino.
On the other hand, FC Barcelona and Spanish starlet Pedri won the Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best young player in the world, for his groundbreaking season with Barcelona and the Spanish national side during the Euros and the Olympics. Robert Lewandowski won the Best Striker of the year award, all credit to his scintillating season with Bayern Munich and the Polish national side. The Machine trophy was awarded to PSG and Italian goalkeeper, Gianluigi Donarumma, for being the best goalkeeper this season after a season-defining performance in the Euro.
FC Barcelona Femeni Captain, Alexia Putellas, became the third ever women footballer to win the Ballon d’Or, after Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe, for her amazing display and leading her Barcelona side to their first-ever treble and Champions League title.
πΈ πππππ ππ πππ πππππ@alexiaputellas @FCBfemeni #BallondOr pic.twitter.com/I1jtxZ5rZH
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 29, 2021