Elected Golden Ball 2021 by a jury of 180 sports journalists, Lionel Messi won, Monday, November 29, the prestigious individual trophy for the seventh time in his career, a record.
If he did not have his best season in 2020/2021 and his debut at Paris Saint-Germain proved to be complicated, the Argentinian won his first Copa America in the national team and greatly participated in the conquest of the King’s Cup with Barça. A look back at the highlights of the Pulga season.
April 17, 2021: a Copa del Rey to save the Barcelona season
Eliminated in the knockout stages of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and third in Liga at the end of a disappointing season, Barça partly saves his season by winning the Copa del Rey and avoiding a second consecutive white season . Top scorer in the league (30 goals), Lionel Messi is also decisive in the cup by signing a double in the final, against Athletic Bilbao (4-0). The Argentine captain is named man of the match and lifts the trophy for the seventh time, tying Basque Piru Gainza’s record. He won his 35th title with Barça.
July 11, 2021: Messi conjures fate with Argentina
After losing four finals with the Argentine selection (one in the World Cup and three in the Copa America), Leo Messi finally won the Copa America, 1-0, against Brazil. Author of four goals and five assists in the competition, the native of Rosario burst into tears at the final whistle. He is also voted best player of the tournament. A few months later, in September, he also became the top scorer for a South American men’s team with 79 goals, then in November, the Albiceleste qualified for the 2022 World Cup.
751 – Last night, Lionel Messi scored the 55th treble of his career, the 7th with Argentina. He passed Pelé (77) as the South American player having scored the most goals in the men’s team (79), while registering his 750th and 751st career goals. GOAT. pic.twitter.com/GCU4e2xGtr
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) September 10, 2021
August 10, 2021: farewell to Barça and his arrival at PSG
After 21 years in Barcelona including 17 in the first team, Leo Messi comes to the end of his contract on June 30, 2021. Despite a new contract with a salary negotiated at a discount by FC Barcelona, the financial situation of the club does not allow him not to keep his Argentinian star. In tears, the Pulga therefore announces his departure from Barça. He left La Liga with the status of top scorer, thanks to 672 goals scored and 300 assists delivered. Free, Messi engages in the hours which follow with Paris Saint-Germain, where he discovers a new championship.
1 – Lionel Messi with Barcelona:
6 Golden Ball
672 goals in all competitions
474 goals and 383 victories in La Liga
123 goals in European competition
36 hat-tricks in La Liga
26 goals in the ClasicoLegendary. pic.twitter.com/XMuyVJpIig
– OptaJean (@OptaJean) August 10, 2021
September 28, 2021: a first goal with the Parisian jersey
Spared during the first days of Ligue 1 to better prepare after his summer with the Albiceleste, Leo Messi made his first appearance under the Parisian colors on August 29, on the lawn of Reims. The Argentinian must wait almost a month to open his counter with PSG, in the Champions League, against Manchester City. He has since scored two more goals and delivered an assist in the European Cup. In Ligue 1, on the other hand, it was not until the 14th day of the championship, against Nantes, on November 20, that he finally found the net.