ENTERTAINMENT
Messi Scoops Record Seventh Ballon d’Or
Argentina’s Lionel Messi won the Ballon d’Or award for the best player in the world for a record-stretching seventh time on Monday, beating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to lift soccer’s most prestigious trophy.
The forward added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 trophies after winning the Copa America for the first time with his country in July.
“It’s incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa America was key,” Messi said at Paris’s Theatre du Chatelet.
“It is a special year for me with this Copa America title. It meant a lot to win at the Maracana stadium and I was so happy to celebrate with the people from Argentina.
“I don’t know if it’s the best year of my life, I’ve had a long career, but it was a special one with the title with Argentina after the tough times and the criticism.”
Messi, who joined Paris St Germain on a free transfer from Barcelona during the close season after finishing as La Liga’s top scorer with the Spanish club, collected 613 points, with Bayern Munich’s Lewandowski, named best striker on Monday, getting 580.
Jorginho, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and the European championship with Italy, ended up third on 460, ahead of France’s Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante in fourth and fifth places respectively.
Chelsea, named club of the year, also had keeper Edouard Mendy finishing second in the Yashin trophy behind Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The women’s Ballon d’Or went to Alexia Putellas after the Spain midfielder guided Barcelona to Champions League glory.
“The key moment was the Champions League final against Olympique Lyonnais,” she said.
Putellas is the third winner of the Ballon d’Or Feminin after Ada Hegerberg in 2018 and Megan Rapinoe in 2019.
There was no ceremony last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On a good night for Barcelona, 19-year-old Pedri was awarded the Kopa trophy for the best Under-21 player.
“The best way to celebrate turning 19 is receiving this award. I’d like to thank everyone at Barcelona for helping me here,” he said.
Urhoboland Loses a Legend, Nigeria Loses a Maestro – Omo-Agege on the Passing of Johnson Adjan
10 Pilots, 2 Trainees to Benefit from Chevron, NCDMB, Bristow Cadet Pilot Training Programme in Nigeria
Okowa Has Always Supported Anioma State, Backs Genuine Agitation
“Trust Me, Not the Details”: Peter Obi Defends Refusal to Reveal Power Generation Strategy
Two Robbery Suspects Nabbed in Delta, Large Quantity of Illicit Drugs Recovered
Appeal Court Faults Justice Lifu, Suspends Judgment Deregistering ADC, Four Other Parties
Lagos Police Debunk Kidnap Claims on Late DCP Khan Salihu, Demand Retraction
NIPSS Probes Deadly Security Breach by Gunmen on Staff Quarters, Vows to Fish Out Perpetrators
How 3 Security Personnel Were Killed in NIPSS Gunmen Attack
STANDARDS ARE FINE, BUT THEY SHOULD BE FAIR, BY DANIEL OTHEGBEMEH
Oborevwori Mourns as Renowned Urhobo Musician, Prof. Johnson Adjan Dies
Tinubu Charges Judiciary on Speedy Justice, Commissions New Court of Appeal Complex in Abuja
Katsina Cracks Down on Insecurity: Radda Bans Fuel Sales in Jerry Cans, Shuts POS Centres, Restricts Motorcycles in Two LGAs
Sowore Alleges Judicial Bias After Bail Revocation in Tinubu-Related Case
