The Ballon d'Or, a prize awarded annually in Paris by the publication France Football, was claimed for the seventh time by the Argentine and PSG star Lionel Messi, but the atmosphere left many feeling Poland's Robert Lewandowski was equally deserving of the top prize.

Messi's numbers were enough to be the winner again and further add to his legendary status, the merits of the Bayern Munich striker, especially for what he achieved during last season, made him the favorite and winner for many.

Messi himself, upon receiving the historic seventh ball, declared that Lewandowski deserved to have one of these awards at home: “I want to tell Robert that it is an honor for me to fight with him. I think you deserve your Ballon d'Or, that last year everyone agreed that you were the winner. I think France Football should give you the Ballon d'Or that you deserve and have it as you won it last year.”

Lewandowski, who did not leave empty-handed because he was chosen as the best forward, had, for some football experts, better stats, or at least similar to Messi. When considering last year, Lewandowski had no competition, but there was no award given because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Likewise, the renowned sports commentator Luis Omar Tapia, highlighted that the Copa América title, which awarded Messi points to win the Ballon d'Or, had never before been taken into account for Ballon d'Or

There were 23 points that separated Messi and Lewandowski. Messi had 613 points and Lewandowski with 580 topped the list. The first five positions were completed by Jorginho with 460, Karim Benzema, with 239, and N'Golo Kanté with 186.

In the comparative figures of the season, and leaving out Copa América, both players had a close duel that was defined by small details.