[Source: BBC Sports]

Argentina forward Lionel Messi is the world’s best footballer of the year.

Messi won the Ballon d’Or which is awarded to the best footballer of the year for a record seventh time.

The 34-year-old helped his country win the Copa America, his first international honor, and has scored 40 goals in 2021, 28 for Barcelona, four for PSG and eight for Argentina.

Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski came second, Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was third and Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema finished fourth.

The Ballon d’Or is voted for by 180 journalists from around the world, although there was no award in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo (five wins) collected the award every year from 2008 to 2019, apart from in 2018 when Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won it.

PUSH THE MAGIC BUTTON! 👀

small surprise for Lionel Messi #ballondor pic.twitter.com/UtMcaQyIdE

— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@francefootball) November 29, 2021

🇦🇷 Lionel Messi has won the last 7/12 Ballon d’Or awards.

2009 ✅
2010 ✅
2011 ✅
2012 ✅
2013
2014
2015 ✅
2016
2017
2018
2019 ✅
2021 ✅

More than all active players. #ballondor pic.twitter.com/6AawAUhlNa

— Exclusive Messi ➐ (@ExclusiveMessi) November 29, 2021