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.
Counterfeit Cosmetics, Food, Drinks Top Nigeria’s Fake Seized Products – NAFDAC
Over 16,000 Doctors Leave Nigeria in Five Years, Leaving Only 55,000 Practicing Nationwide
Trump: U.S. Was Four Weeks Away From Exhausting Oil Reserves Before Iran Deal
I’m Fully Vindicated of 11-Year-Old Case That Tormented Me and My Family – Diezani Celebrates UK Court Acquittal
‘Security Agents Are Not Magicians’: Gov Oborevwori Explains Why Communities Must Expose Terrorists
Cultists Allegedly Hack Man to Death in His Residence in Warri
32 Suspected Cultists Arrested in Delta as Police Recover Four Firearms, Live Cartridges, Illicit Drugs
Reps Minority Caucus Gives FG 72-Hour Ultimatum to Rescue Abducted Oyo Schoolchildren
Tricycle Riders Beseige Delta Revenue Office in Warri, Protest Alleged Police Number Plate Extortion
Ogun Police Bust Criminal Networks, Arrest 6 Suspects, Recover Firearms, Ammunition, Stolen Property
Delta Announces Invitation to Tender to Restore Electricity to Isoko, Ndokwa Communities
NDC Forces Candidates to Sign Anti-Defection Oath — Defect and Lose Your Seat After Elections
Backlash Trails Obi’s Proposed Approach to Address Banditry Crisis
Dr. Abassi: New Study Suggests Men Should Ejaculate 21 Times a Month to Lower Prostate Cancer Risk
