Messi wins another Ballon d’Or: Another Lewandowski snub?

Lionel Messi, surprisingly/unsurprisingly, won his seventh Ballon d’Or at the gala Chatelet Theatre in Paris on Monday night; not all were too pleased with the end result, with some in favour of a Robert Lewandowski win rather.

Messi with his 2021 Ballon d’Or has now won the accolade in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019. Between him and his greatest rival, Christiano Ronaldo, they have now won the prestigious award 11 times (Ronaldo 4) since 2008.

During their supreme reign, only Luka Modric has claimed the award, which was back in 2018 —the other year they were not announced as winners — was back in 2020 when no honours were handed out due to the plaguing pandemic.

Ballon d’Or 2020 and 2021 many feel both years belonged to Lewandowski

The year there was no honours for any footballers, Bayern Munich reigned far more superior compared to all of their European counterparts. They once again managed to win it all and took the treble — as well as the sextuple — and did so with the Poland international leading the line excellently.

The German giants became only the second side to win this array of silverware in a single season — Barcelone boasted a sextuple season back in 2009 with Messi at the forefront of everything Barca.

Like Lionel was at the peak of his powers, which probably lead to him winning the 2009 and 2010 best player prize, so was Lewandowski over this time: in the 2019-2020 season, he featured 47 times for Bayern Munich and netted 55 goals while adding 10 assists to his name.

He then followed that astonishing run with 46 goals and seven assists, rightly claiming the European Golden Shoe award for most goals in 2020/21.

Afore this, he was awarded the Forward of the Season in the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League amongst several other achievements — there would have been no way to deny him the biggest individual footballing award.

So what not… Just cancel the even and not worry about having to confer anybody new with the title of the best player in the world. Football at its best?

What was the reason for Messi taking the Ballon d’Or 2021?

In short, for the key role he played in Argentina winning the Copa America over rivals Brazil 0-1. In the long of it all: Messi was his country and the tournament’s best player. He was repaid with the CONMEBOL COPA AMÉRICA Player of the Tournament, as well as being named the top goalscorer with 4, joint best with Luis Diaz of Columbia.

This was the first time the South American country won the big event since 1993 and also was one of the two tournaments, the World Cup and the Copa America, that has eluded him since becoming a footballer.

Making the victory even sweeter, they did it in Brazil’s own backyard. Messi and co. ended a 28-year trophy drought for his country that has been blessed with talent. It was also his first with Argentia.

For these reasons and having to carry Barca in their darkest hour, a good fight was put up for the award this year, but one cannot help but feel bad for Robert Lewandowski. Nobody explained Messi’s seventh Ballon d’Or better than Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian.

Nonetheless, it was a night to remember for many reasons, good and bad. The only question now that remains is, was this the last chance for both Messi and Ronaldo, or are both men going for the World Cup at their age?