The full 2021 Ballon d'Or standings have been revealed, with Lionel Messi winning the prize for the seventh time but only by 33 points.
Messi, who won the Copa Del Rey with Barcelona and captained Argentina to a first international trophy since 1993, was presented the award by former teammate and close friend Luis Suarez at a ceremony in Paris.
Messi had been the favourite going into the event and finished up with 613 points. But Robert Lewandowski, who had another sensational year after last year's award was nixed due to COVID-19, wasn't all that far behind.
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The Bayern Munich hitman came in second place after accruing 580 points and earned praise from Messi in his acceptance speech.
Jorginho was also a primary contender after winning the Champions League and Euro 2020 with Chelsea and Italy respectively.
He secured a top three finish on 460 points, ahead of Karim Benzema (239 points) and his club teammate N'Golo Kante (186 points) - who occupied fourth and fifth spot.
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Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo had to make do with sixth position and 178 pts, 57 points better than Liverpool's Mo Salah.
Kylian Mbappe made the top ten for the fourth time but was absolutely fuming after learning he had finished in ninth.
The Frenchman's reaction was captured on camera and he was not happy one bit.The 22-year-old scored 58 points overall.
Here are the complete rankings and points, courtesy of Sport Witness:
Messi scored 41 goals and registered 17 assists in 56 appearances in all competitions for club and country and that was enough to claim France Football's prize yet again.
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The 34-year-old also won in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 - and the Eiffel Tower was lit up in celebration of his victory in the French capital on Monday evening.
Featured Image Credit: Image: PATopics: Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, Jorginho
