The gratin of world football was gathered, Monday, November 29, at the Châtelet theater in Paris, for the ceremony of the 65th Golden Ball. An evening marked by the seventh coronation of Leo Messi as “best player in the world”, Alexia Putellas’ first trophy for women, but also the advent of Parisian Gianluigi Donnarumma as goalkeeper of the year 2021.
Seven at home for Leo Messi
A new Golden Ball came to garnish the display case with trophies from Leo Messi, who had already placed six on the shelf. His Copa America victory with Argentina certainly weighed in his favor with the jury. “It’s amazing to be here again. Two years ago I thought it would be one of my last years and here I am again in front of you.”, he said receiving his trophy from his friend and former teammate Luis Suarez.
The Argentinian becomes the second player in Ligue 1 to win the Golden Ball after Jean-Pierre Papin in 1991: “It’s a pride for me to be the first player to win it with the PSG jersey. It’s very special, an honor […] This award gives me a lot of strength for the next stage, in a new club “.
What an evening for #BallonDor pic.twitter.com/XrhrOwWswO
– Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) November 29, 2021
“You deserved it last year”, when Messi pays tribute to Lewandowski
Leo Messi, fair play, had a word for his runner-up, Robert Lewandowski, who is only 33 points ahead in the standings. The Pole was favorite to win the Golden Ball last year before the edition was canceled due to the health crisis: “I wanted to tell Robert that it’s an honor to fight by your side, you deserved it last year. I hope France Football will give it to you because you deserve to have it at home […] It is an honor to be here with you. You broke records and you too deserved to win this Ballon d’Or. You had an incredible season “.
The Pole still left Paris with a consolation prize since France Football created a new trophy for the top European scorer of the year, which was awarded to him.
The French in chiaroscuro
Author of 11 goals and 7 assists since the start of the season, and one of the few satisfactory elements of the Blues at the Euro, Karim Benzema finished in fourth place and is the best ranked of the French. He is ahead of N’Golo Kanté, winner of the Champions League with Chelsea, in the standings. Kylian Mbappé finished ninth, his worst position in four Ballon d’Or nominations.
In the women’s classification, unfortunately, you have to go down to 17th place (out of 20) to find the first Frenchwoman, Kadidiatou Diani. The Parisienne is ahead of her teammate Marie-Antoinette Katoto while the Lyonnaise Wendie Renard finishes in last position. PSG and Lyon were eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals and Les Bleues did not participate in the Olympic Games.
Alexia Putellas, the first Spanish Golden Ball since 1960
Even after the departure of Leo Messi to Paris Saint-Germain, a Golden Ball will take the direction of Catalonia and Barcelona. Blaugrana captain Alexia Putellas won the women’s trophy after a full season in which she scored 26 goals and achieved the Cup-Championship-Champions League treble.
At 27, she also became the most capped player in the Spanish selection (92 caps). Very moved, she succeeds Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe on the prize list. Spain had not won a Golden Ball since Luis Suarez’s in 1960.
Alexia Putellas is your 2021 Women’s #ballondor! pic.twitter.com/DJLB2YNObL
– Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@francefootball) November 29, 2021
Pedri and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the spotlight
FC Barcelona raided the Châtelet theater on Monday evening. In addition to Putellas and Messi, who played half the year with the Blaugranas, his 19-year-old midfielder Pedri was named ‘best youngster’ of the year. With 73 games played in 2021, a record in Europe, he had already been crowned best young player at the Euro with Spain, and had won the silver medal at the Olympic Games.
Tenth in the general classification of the Golden Ball, Gianluigi Donnarumma won the Yachine trophy for best goalkeeper of the year. The Parisian goalkeeper is rewarded for his decisive role in the European title of Italy this summer, which was often decisive on the shootouts, and for his solid year in club with AC Milan then PSG.