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Paris St-Germain and Argentina forward Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for a record-extending seventh time. Messi has now won the Ballon d'Or - awarded to the best footballer of the year - in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019 and 2021. He beat tough competition from Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski, who was the other top contender for this year's award. The final points margin was tight: 613-580.
Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was third and Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema finished fourth. Meanwhile, Alexia Putellas became the third winner of the women's award for an outstanding season with Barcelona and Spain. Her team-mate Jennifer Hermoso came second, with Chelsea striker Sam Kerr third.
Paris St-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who helped Italy triumph at Euro 2020, won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper. Barcelona midfielder Pedri won the Kopa Trophy for the best player aged under 21, with England youngsters Jude Bellingham, Mason Greenwood and Bukayo Saka coming second, fifth and sixth respectively.
New trophies were also given out to the best goalscorer of the year in world football and to the 'best club'. Robert Lewandowski was named the inaugural Striker of the Year as the top scorer for both club and country, while European champion Chelsea FC won the Club of the Year with the most nominations for the men's Ballon d'Or award (tied with Manchester City at five players).
2021 Ballon d'Or results - Men
- Lionel Messi (Paris St-Germain/Argentina, forward)
- Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland, forward)
- Jorginho (Chelsea/Italy, midfielder)
- Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France, forward)
- N'Golo Kante (Chelsea/France, midfielder)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United/Portugal, forward)
- Mohamed Salah (Liverpool/Egypt, forward)
- Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City/Belgium, midfielder)
- Kylian Mbappe (Paris St-Germain/France, forward)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St-Germain/Italy, goalkeeper)
- Erling Braut Haaland (Borussia Dortmund/Norway, forward)
- Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea/Belgium, forward)
- Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus/Italy, defender)
- Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy, defender)
- Raheem Sterling (Manchester City/England, forward)
- Neymar (Paris St-Germain/Brazil, forward)
- Luis Suarez (Atletico Madrid/Uruguay, forward)
- Simon Kjaer (AC Milan/Denmark, defender)
- Mason Mount (Chelsea/England, midfielder)
- Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City/Algeria, forward)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/Portugal, midfielder), tied with Lautauro Martinez (Inter Milan/Argentina, forward)
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- Harry Kane (Tottenham/England, forward)
- Pedri (Barcelona/Spain, midfielder)
- Phil Foden (Manchester City/England, forward)
- Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan/Italy, midfielder), tied with Ruben Dias (Manchester City/Portugal, defender) and Gerard Moreno (Villarreal/Spain, forward)
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- Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Croatia, midfielder), tied with Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea/Spain, defender)
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2021 Kopa Trophy Ranking
1. Pedri
2. Jude Bellingham
3. Jamal Musiala
4. Nuno Mendes
5. Mason Greenwood
6. Bukayo Saka
7. Florian Wirtz
8. Ryan Gravenberch
9. Giovanni Reyna and Jérémy Doku
2021 Ballon d'Or final results — Women
1. Alexia Putellas
2. Jennifer Hermoso
3. Sam Kerr
4. Vivianne Miedema
5. Lieke Martens
6. Christine Sinclair
7. Pernille Harder
8. Ashley Lawrence
9. Jessie Fleming
10. Fran Kirby
11. Magdalena Eriksson
12. Christiane Endler
13. Stina Blackstenius
14. Samantha Mewis
15. Irene Paredes
16. Ellen White
17. Kadidiatou Diani
18. Marie-Antoinette Katoto
19. Sandra Panos
20. Wendie Renard