The 2021 Ballon d’Or returned some sense of normalcy to the soccer/football world after the ceremony was cancelled in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
And while Lionel Messi captured the award for the seventh time, he did so in Paris Saint-Germain colors for the first time. The Argentine had traded in his Blaugrana shirt for PSG’s blue in one of the most shocking transfers ever. Though, like years past, Messi stepped up at the ceremony to receive the award.
Cristiano Ronaldo also make a shocking transfer move that same summer, yet he was returning to Manchester United after his successes at Real Madrid and Juventus. For the Portuguese legend, he found himself outside the top three in the category for the first time since 2010.
Other notable nominees in the men’s category include the host of Chelsea players that defied the odds to defeat Manchester City in the Champions League final.
Here’s the full list of winners from the 2021 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
