‘The GOAT’: Reaction and final standings as Lionel Messi beats out the competition to lift 2021 Ballon d’Or

 

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi has, on Monday evening, been crowned as the recipient of the 2021 Ballon d’Or.

Leo makes it 7

The subject of the latest ‘Golden Ball’ has of course proven football’s headline talking point over the course of the last 24 hours.

This comes as the finest players from across the globe gathered at The Théâtre du Châtelet for France Football’s first ceremony since 2019.

The Ballon d’Or remains the most highly sought after individual accolade in world football, with the buildup to Monday’s proceedings having seen two players – in the form of the aforementioned Messi and Bayern Munich hitman Robert Lewandowski – widely pushed as the two clear frontrunners.

In the end, though, there could only be one.

Your 2021 Ballon d’Or winner? Lionel Messi:

HERE IS THE WINNER!

SEVEN BALLON D’OR FOR LIONEL MESSI! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/U2SywJmruC

— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@francefootball) November 29, 2021

Tonight marks the 7th occasion on which Messi has been crowned the finest player on the planet, moving the Argentine two clear of nearest challenger and long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or record books.

The reaction across social media, meanwhile, has since been one of understandable jubilation and celebration for a player whom many continue to argue stands alone as the greatest to ever step foot on the pitch:

When your dad wins an other Ballon d’Or 🙌#ballondor pic.twitter.com/UWKir71mX5

— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@francefootball) November 29, 2021

It’s a magnificent seven. Congratulations to Lionel Messi on winning yet another Ballon d’Or. A truly extraordinary footballer and an absolute credit to the sport both on and off the pitch. 👏🏻👏🏻

— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) November 29, 2021

The best there ever will be. pic.twitter.com/kdFzHmXOkF

— Ellis Platten – AwayDays (@ellis_platten) November 29, 2021

🏆 2009
🏆 2010
🏆 2011
🏆 2012
🏆 2015
🏆 2019
🏆 2021

Time for the GOAT to add another #BallonDor to his collection 🤩 pic.twitter.com/QhvpDmRCUc

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) November 29, 2021

Messi January-June for Barça was underrated (even winning Ballon d’Or). Then he led Argentina to the Copa America. It’s never just been about the numbers with him, either. Watch him. Hard to argue No.7 not deserved

— Samuel Marsden (@samuelmarsden) November 29, 2021

How many ballon d’ors has Messi won Cristiano? pic.twitter.com/vYkYn0yGpw

— FootballFunnys (@FootballFunnnys) November 29, 2021

Lionel Messi is the GOAT:

🏆 2009
🏆 2010
🏆 2011
🏆 2012
🏆 2015
🏆 2019
🏆 2021

7 Ballon d’Ors. SEVEN! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/PXxqoeKs1a

— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) November 29, 2021

The best there is, there ever was, and ever will be.

Congratulations on number 7, Leo, we will always love you. pic.twitter.com/azi6bK6dSA

— total Barça (@totalBarca) November 29, 2021

Carried a struggling Barca on his back. Took Argentina to their first major title in 28 years.

Messi deserved this Ballon d’Or 👑 pic.twitter.com/tYGjTfMthx

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 29, 2021

Arguments over, Messi has now got seven, he’s the greatest of all time.

— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 29, 2021

Benzema 4th/ronaldo 6th

Elsewhere in the standings, Lewandowski, as expected, came home in 2nd, with Champions League and Euro 2020 winner Jorginho rounding out the podium places.

5-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to make do with 6th, his first finish outside the top-3 in Ballon d’Or voting since 2010, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah one spot back of the Portuguese in 7th.

Check out the 2021 Ballon d’Or top-10 results below:

Ballon D’Or – Top 10 – 2021:

1 | Lionel Messi
2 | Robert Lewandowski
3 | Jorginho
4 | Karim Benzema
5 | N’Golo Kanté
6 | Cristiano Ronaldo
7 | Mo Salah
8 | Kevin de Bruyne
9 | Kylian Mbappé
10 | Gianluigi Donnarumma

— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 29, 2021

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