🏆 2021 Ballon d’or Ceremony and Award Night

Yusuf · November 30, 2021, 12:11am

Messi and Ronaldo have now won 12 of the past 13 Ballon d’Or awards

Jay · November 30, 2021, 4:05am

Alexia Putellas wins Women’s award after Barcelona’s Treble-Winning Campaign

Barcelona won the treble last season with Alexia Putellas playing a key role in the Spanish side’s success. She wins the Ballon d’Or Feminin for 2021 and is just the third female player to win the prize after Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe.

Jenni Hermoso finished second overall, with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr third and Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema fourth.

Jay · November 30, 2021, 4:27am

Agree with Messi.

France Football should announce and present the 2020 award to Lewandowski and Women’s Ballon d’Or, Yashin Trophy and Kopa Trophy for 2020. Even if it is online. They could have very well done it in this year’s ceremony after 2021 awards. All the 2020 best players deserve to have this coveted trophy in their trophy cabinet.

Samuel · November 30, 2021, 4:32am

Lionel Messi finished with 33 more points than Robert Lewandowski for the men’s Ballon d’Or

Samuel · November 30, 2021, 4:34am

Leo Messi shares a moment with Luis Suarez after winning his 7th Ballon d’Or

Samuel · November 30, 2021, 4:36am

When you’re so good they create a whole new award…

Goodness · November 30, 2021, 5:09am

Cruyff once predicted the Future of Lionel Messi

Samuel · November 30, 2021, 5:26pm

It had to be Robert Lewandowski. What a year he’s had #FC100

Full ranking es.pn/3pcVGiH

Samuel · November 30, 2021, 5:40pm

Pep says you can never complain about Messi winning the Ballon d’Or

Samuel · November 30, 2021, 5:44pm

The Ballon d’Or vote breakdown

Samuel · November 30, 2021, 5:45pm

Seven golden goats have been in front of the Eiffel Tower for Lionel Messi

(via adidas Football)

Samuel · December 1, 2021, 6:05am

Alexia Putellas presents her Ballon d’Or to the fans before Spain’s World Cup qualifying match

Samuel · December 1, 2021, 6:10am

Lionel Messi will present the Ballon d’Or to PSG fans at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday despite missing training today due to illness

Samuel · December 1, 2021, 6:16am

Your Ballon d’Or winners in a world without Messi and Ronaldo

Jay · December 1, 2021, 8:49am

The Manchester United star commented ‘facts’ under a post which described Messi’s win as ‘Theft. Dirt. Shame. Simply regrettable’

Does this reaction to a fan’s disparaging comment suit Ronaldo?

I think accepting defeat with humility is a characteristic of greatness.

Jay · December 1, 2021, 8:55am

How is the Ballon d’Or winner decided?

To begin with, French weekly publication France Football decides on a 30-player shortlist. Then they invite top journalists of the world, each of whom nominates the best five players, in his/her opinion. The top player is awarded six points, while the next four are awarded four, three, two and one respectively.

The total points collected by each player decides the eventual winner.

There are three basic criteria that the selection panel is looking at. First, individual as well as collective performances. These focus on titles won with their respective club and/or country. Secondly, the jury focuses on the talent of the player and whether that player is a proponent of fair play in the world of football. Thirdly, they look at the overall career of the player.

Hemant · December 1, 2021, 8:58am

How was Messi awarded his seventh Ballon d’Or?

It all came down to the Copa America. Messi had suffered several near misses on the international stage. Losing the 2014 World Cup final against Germany in Brazil, and reaching three Copa America finals only to fall at the last hurdle, had become the narrative of his international career.

This was until 2021 when he finally won the Copa America by beating Brazil in Brazil. Messi was adjudged the player of the tournament for his four goals. He ended the season with 41 goals and 17 assists, and that was considered enough for the Argentine to take away his seventh Ballon d’Or crown and essentially cement his spot as the greatest modern-day footballer. He also won the Copa del Rey for Barcelona and took the Catalans to third position in La Liga.