“Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award.”
Messi helped his country win the Copa America, his first international honour.
He has also scored 40 goals in 2021 – 28 for Barcelona, four for Paris St-Germain and eight for Argentina.
Bayern Munich and Poland striker 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.
source: express.co.uk