Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record-extending seventh time beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift soccer’s most prestigious trophy.

Alexia Putellas became the third winner of the women’s award for an outstanding season with Barcelona and Spain.

Awarded by France Football magazine, the Ballon d’Or has been given out to men every year since 1956 when Stanley Matthews won. It is voted on by a panel of international journalists and is the most prestigious individual honour in the sport.

Messi wins seventh Ballon d’Or

The 34-year-old Messi led Argentina to the Copa America title in July after losing in four major international finals. Messi, who joined Paris St Germain on a free transfer from Barcelona, finished with 613 points to top prolific Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski.

Messi has won Ballon d’Or in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.

Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski won 580 points. The 33-year-old Lewandowski set a new single-season scoring record for the Bundesliga with 41 goals, one more than late Germany great Gerd Muller, when he scored in the last minute of the last game.

His 11 goals in 12 games for Poland this year took his international tally to 74 in 128 games, just six less than Messi.

Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was third with 460 points after helping the London club win the Champions League and his nation win the European Championship. Real Madrid and France forward Karim Benzema was fourth with 239 points.

Ballon d’Or Feminin

The women’s Ballon d’Or went to Alexia Putellas after the Spain midfielder guided Barcelona to Champions League glory. Putellas helped Barca win the treble and scored 26 goals in 42 games overall. The midfielder netted in the Champions League final against Chelsea, and in August she was named UEFA women’s player of the year. Putellas tallied 186 points to finish far ahead of club and country teammate Jenni Hermoso on 84. 

Putellas is the third winner of the Ballon d’Or Feminin after Norway striker Ada Hegerberg  in 2018 and US forward Megan Rapinoe in 2019. 

There was no ceremony last year due to the coronavirus pandemic

In other awards, the Kopa Trophy for the best under 21 player went to 19-year-old Spain and Barcelona midfielder Pedri. He caught the eye at Euro 2020 and reached the Olympic final.

The Lev Yashin for best goalkeeper was won by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who helped Italy win the Euro Cup.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store