Lionel Messi wins record seventh men's Ballon d'Or as Alexia Putellas takes women's gong

Lionel Messi has won the seventh men’s Ballon d’Or of his illustrious career, while Barcelona's Alexia Putellas received the women's award at a ceremony in Paris.

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski came second and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho third in the men's category.

Putellas took home the women’s Ballon d’Or after winning a league, cup and Champions League treble with Barcelona.

The 27-year-old’s Barca teammate Jennifer Hermoso was second, with Chelsea forward Sam Kerr third and Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema fourth.

Argentina international Messi claimed a maiden Copa America title with his country during the year and was top scorer in LaLiga for the 2020-21 season with 30 goals as Barcelona finished third.

The 34-year-old also helped Barca win the Copa del Rey before moving to PSG in the summer.

He had collected the honour for a record sixth time in 2019 – one ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo – before the awards were cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is incredible to be here again,” said Messi according to Marca.

“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.

“I don’t know how much I have left, but I hope it’s a lot, because I love this. Other times I won this award and I always had the feeling that something was missing.

“I felt gutted about something, and this year I was able to achieve the dream that I wanted so much after having fought and having gone through many falls.

“This award is largely because of what we (Argentina) did in the Copa America.”

Earlier, Manchester United forward Ronaldo – who came fifth – dismissed claims from French journalist Pascal Ferre that his main aim is to finish his career with more Ballon d’Or wins than Messi.

Ronaldo did not attend Monday’s event at the Theatre du Chatelet in the French capital but responded to Ferre, the editor of France Football – organisers of the Ballon d’Or, on social media.

“Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for,” Portugal international Ronaldo posted on Instagram.

“It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d’Or.”

Poland international Lewandowski, 33, who was widely expected to win last year, finished second after scoring 38 goals in 30 league games for Bayern in 2021, in addition to winning the Bundesliga.

Speaking of Lewandowski, Messi said: “You deserve your Ballon d’Or. Last year everyone agreed that you were the winner. I think France Football should give you your Ballon d’Or. You have to have it in your house.”

Meanwhile, Jorginho finished third after a year in which he helped Italy to glory at the delayed Euro 2020 after lifting the Champions League trophy with Chelsea in May. Chelsea also won the club of the year award.