France football, organizers of the Ballon d’Or introduced two new awards at the 65h Ballon d’Or awards gala, one being the club of the year and the other the best striker of the year.
Chelsea won the newly introduced Club of the year award for its impressive run during the year in review. Both the men’s and women’s team were UEFA Champions League finalist. Although, the women’s team lost the final, but the men’s team triumphed.
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma wins the ‘Yachine Trophy’ from France Football as best goalkeeper of the year ahead of Chelsea’s Édouard Mendy.
“Receiving the Trophée Yachine is a source of great pride for me. From my birth town of Castellammare di Stabia to Milan and now to Paris. Such a long road, so many changes. Life is a journey. I consider myself a lucky man who has already been able to fulfill some important dreams – and this award is one of these. But there are still many others I want to pursue.” – Gigi Donnarumma.
FC Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski has won the ‘Striker of the year’ award. He won the inaugural trophy at the award ceremony in Paris.
The Polish striker scored a Bundesliga record 41 goals in just 29 games last season to eclipse the long-standing mark set by the late Gerd Mueller.
“I’m very proud of this trophy, I know what it means to be ready to score the goal. Everything I do I have to thank my teammates, coach, and staff. Without them, it’s difficult to be at the front.” – Lewandowski.
Lewandowski was largely seen as the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in 2020 because of his goal scoring exploits for Bundesliga champions Bayern. But the award was cancelled that year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 33-year-old was one of the top candidates to win the award in 2021, too, but he collected 33 points fewer than Messi, putting him in second place.
Barcelona’s teenage midfielder Pedri, was named the winner of the Kopa Trophy – the best under-21 player of 2021. The 19-year-old was presented with the award by the former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.
Ballon d’Or Awards: Pedri wins 2021 Kopa Trophy
Alexia Putellas and Lionel Messi have been crowned winners of the 2021 Ballon d’Or during a glittering ceremony in Paris.
Putellas said: “I’m very emotional, it’s a very special moment. I would like to start by thanking all my teammates, especially my current [Barcelona] teammates. For me it’s a collective success.”
The 27-year-old follows in the footsteps of Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe, who won the award in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Alexia Putellas wins 2021 Ballon d’Or ahead of Hermoso and Kerr
Messi won a seventh Ballon d’Or title, beating Robert Lewandowski to the award.
Lionel Messi wins record seventh Ballon d’Or award
“Two years ago, I said that it was my last years,and that I didn’t know what was going to happen, and now I am here again.
“After that they began to ask me when I was going to retire and today I am in Paris. I am very happy and very excited, eager to continue fighting for new challenges.” – Lionel Messi after winning a record seventh award.
MOLATsportgist 