LIONEL MESSI scooped his seventh Ballon d’Or as the Paris Saint-Germain star was once again recognised as the world’s best player.
The 34-year-old made it back-to-back wins at the star-studded ceremony after picking up the gong in 2019.
Lionel Messi was joined by his family on the red carpetCredit: AFP
The coveted trophy was not awarded last year after Covid forced organisers to cancel.
But it was back with a bang for 2021 as Messi beat second-placed Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho in third for the night’s big prize.
The trophy marks a high point in a momentous year for the Argentinian superstar.
He left Barcelona for the French capital after over 20 years at the Nou Camp – and enjoyed his first taste of international glory at the Copa America.
Here SunSport runs through this year’s Ballon d’Or rankings – from 30 down to one.
1. LIONEL MESSI
Lionel Messi moved to Paris Saint-Germain this summerCredit: Getty
2. ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
Robert Lewandowski took home the award for best strikerCredit: AFP
3. JORGINHO
Jorginho has won with club and country this seasonCredit: EPA
4. KARIM BENZEMA
The veteran Karim Benzema is thriving at Real MadridCredit: AFP
5. N’GOLO KANTE
N’Golo Kante joins Chelsea team-mate Jorginho in the top 10Credit: Getty
6. CRISTIANO RONALDO
Cristiano Ronaldo made a stunning return to Manchester United this seasonCredit: EPA
7. MO SALAH
Mo Salah is currently the Premier League’s leading goalscorerCredit: EPA
8. KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Kevin De Bruyne won his third Premier League crown with Manchester CityCredit: Getty
9. KYLIAN MBAPPE
Kylian Mbappe partners Messi in the PSG attackCredit: Getty
10. GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been a force in goal for Italy and PSGCredit: Getty
11. ERLING HAALAND
Erling Haaland has 10 Bundesliga goals this seasonCredit: AFP
12. ROMELU LUKAKU
Romelu Lukaku re-joined Chelsea from Inter Milan in the summerCredit: Getty
13. GIORGIO CHIELLINI
Giorgio Chiellini captained Italy to Euro 2020 gloryCredit: AFP
14. LEONARDO BONUCCI
Chiellini’s team-mate Leonardo Bonucci starred in the Wembley finalCredit: Getty
15. RAHEEM STERLING
Raheem Sterling started for Man City in the snow vs West HamCredit: Getty
16. NEYMAR
Neymar is part of a PSG front-three with Messi and MbappeCredit: Getty
17. LUIS SUAREZ
Luis Suarez is enjoying his stint at Atletico MadridCredit: Splash
18. SIMON KJAER
Simon Kjaer has been praised for his role as Denmark captainCredit: EPA
19. MASON MOUNT
Mason Mount is a Champions League winner with ChelseaCredit: Reuters
20. RIYAD MAHREZ
Riyad Mahrez has eight Man City goals so far this seasonCredit: Reuters
21. LAUTARO MARTINEZ & BRUNO FERNANDES
Lautaro Martinez joined Inter back in 2018Credit: AP
Bruno Fernandes skippered Manchester United on SundayCredit: Reuters
23. HARRY KANE
Harry Kane has seven goals in his last two England capsCredit: Reuters
24. PEDRI
Pedri is part of a crop of young Barcelona starsCredit: Reuters
25. PHIL FODEN
Phil Foden is rated as one of England’s brightest talentsCredit: Getty
26. GERARD MORENO, RUBEN DIAS & NICO BARRELLA
Gerard Moreno leads the line for VillarrealCredit: AP
Ruben Dias has impressed at the back for Man CityCredit: Alamy
Nicolo Barella has extended his Inter contract to 2026Credit: Getty
29. CESAR AZPILICUETA & LUKA MODRIC
Cesar Azpilicueta led Chelsea to European glory last seasonCredit: Getty
Luke Modric won the Ballon d’Or in 2018Credit: Getty
