Football: Messi beats Lewandowski to win 2021 Ballon d'Or

Argentina's Lionel Messi narrowly beat Poland's Robert Lewandowski to claim the 2021 Ballon d’Or on Monday, becoming the world’s first football player to win the coveted award seven times.

Poland's Robert Lewandowski and his wife Anna Lewandowska pose during a photo op ahead of the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday.

Photo: EPA/YOAN VALAT

Meanwhile, Lewandowski was announced Striker of the Year and overall runner-up in the annual vote organised by France Football magazine.

Robert Lewandowski addresses the audience after receiving the Striker of the Year award during the 2021 Ballon d'Or ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday night. Photo: EPA/YOAN VALAT

Italian midfielder Jorginho was ranked third at the awards ceremony in Paris on Monday night, ahead of fourth-placed French forward Karim Benzema.

2021 winner Lionel Messi poses with his wife and sons during the awards ceremony in Paris on Monday. Photo: EPA/YOAN VALAT

There were 30 nominees in total for the France Football prize, which was voted for by 180 journalists from around the world.

Lionel Messi poses with his Ballon d’Or award during the ceremony in the French capital. Photo: EPA/YOAN VALAT

Lewandowski's second-place finish marked the best showing by any Polish player in the annual vote.

Congratulations Leo Messi and @alexiaputellas winners of the #BallonDor2021, congratulations also to all nominated players!👏 I won Striker of the Year Award and no Player can win an individual award without strongest team and loyal fans behind him. Thank you for your support🤜🤛 pic.twitter.com/I6j4BtluYS

— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) November 29, 2021

Polish midfielder Kazimierz Deyna was in 1974 ranked third for the award presented by the French sports magazine, and countryman Zbigniew Boniek, a former Juventus player, came in third in 1982.

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Source: TVP Sport, PAP

Click on the audio player above for a report by Radio Poland's Eliza Mickiewicz.