Lionel Messi wins Ballon d'Or for record-extending seventh time

Football star Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for being the best player in the world for the seventh time in Paris on Monday.

The Argentine player who plays for Paris Saint Germain won the last Ballon d'Or in 2019, had claimed the prestigious award consecutively from 2009 to 2012, and then in 2015.

Calling his experience incredible, Messi said that 2 years ago he thought that it was his last time and winning the Copa was the key.

Messi in 2019, won the award, after clinching the Copa America trophy for the first time for his country. Ballan d'Or was suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bayern Munich ace Lewandowski ended up second and was named the best striker and Jorginho claimed the 3rd spot. Cristiano Ronaldo was placed 6th.

Meanwhile, the Portuguese star in a lengthy Instagram post lashed out at France Football's editor-in-chief Pascal Ferre for reporting that the ace footballer had told him that he wishes to retire with more Ballan d'Or's than Messi.

Calling his statement false, Ronaldo wrote, 'it is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious award could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballan d'Or'.