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.
Fresh Kidnap Attack Rocks Benue Highway, Three Abducted, Driver Shot
ICPC Vows to Name Owners of Recovered Assets, Publish Details
Brooklyn Collapse: How Nigerian Landlord Dodged Crackdown For 26 Years Before Building Killed 8
NDLEA Arrests US Basketball Player With 33.95kg Cannabis at Lagos Airport
NLC Gives Oborevwori 2-Week Ultimatum Over Ban On Motorcycle Union, Threatens Showdown In Delta
Akpabio Dares Amaechi to Produce Evidence of Alleged 50% NDDC Deductions
2027 Election: Obaze Urges Obidients to Become INEC Ad Hoc Staff to Prevent Rigging
Dokubo-Asari Declares ‘Suffering Of Ijaw People In Gelegele Has Come To An End’
Oborevwori Celebrates Bishop Ewherido, Fr. Anamali 40th Priestly Anniversary In Warri
ICPC Recovers ₦5.3bn From LG Accounts In 7 States, FCT, Moves To Put Every LG’s Books Online
Nigeria Cannot Progress With Primitive Leadership Selection, Jonathan Warns
Amupitan Not Resigning — INEC Debunks Viral Image After London’s Chatham Protest
‘Every Win Encourages Us To Do Better’ — Oborevwori Reacts To Sun Governor Of The Year Award
Bayelsa Gas Deal With US Firm Could Exceed $3bn Guyana Project – Fulcrum CEO
Why Malaysian Police Shot Dead Nigerian Man After Officer’s Hand Was Severed.
