Why Messi Got Ballon d’Or 2021

Lionel Messi’s 2021 Ballon d’Or win stirred up debates, admiration, and plenty of headlines. But if you peel back the hype and the controversy, the reasons behind why Messi got Ballon d’Or 2021 emerge as clear and compelling. In this article, SaiKick will journey through the stats, the trophies, the influence—and even the dissent—to explain how, in a crowded field, Messi claimed a seventh Ballon d’Or.

Table of Contents

The Award Landscape: What 2021 Meant

Before diving into Messi’s case, we need context. The Ballon d’Or is awarded by France Football, relying on votes. The 2021 edition was notable: it was the 65th Ballon d’Or ceremony, and Messi’s win extended his record tally to seven. (Before 2021, he already held six.)

That year’s shortlist was fiercely competitive. Robert Lewandowski, after a staggering 41-goal Bundesliga season, was widely seen as a strong candidate. Jorginho, Karim Benzema, and others also vied for recognition. Ultimately, Messi prevailed by 613 points, 33 ahead of Lewandowski. The margins were not massive—but in such a crowded vote, every edge counted.

Dominance in the Copa América

Captain, Leader, Match-winner

One of the central pillars to why Messi got Ballon d’Or 2021 is his role in Argentina’s triumph at Copa América. Under his captaincy, Argentina won a major international trophy for the first time since 1993. That kind of narrative carries weight. In the final, Argentina edged Brazil 1–0 at the Maracanã, and Messi was a driving force in the campaign.

He wasn’t just a symbolic leader: Messi topped multiple statistical charts in the tournament. He scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists—making him joint top scorer (with Luis Díaz) and top assist provider. He also led in free-kick goals (2), key passes, chances created, dribbles completed, shot-creating actions, and more. In nine distinct statistical measures, he was the tournament leader.

He completed 295 passes in total, with 239 of them successful (81% success rate). He also recovered the ball 23 times. These numbers tell a story of influence not just in attack, but across the pitch.

In short, Messi’s Copa América was a tour de force: he combined leadership, clutch moments, and statistical dominance. That tournament arguably tipped the balance in his favor.

Club Success Was Modest but Noteworthy

While his international performance was sensational, Messi’s club year in 2021 wasn’t as overwhelmingly dominant as in some past seasons. Yet, he still produced numbers and successes that bolstered his case.

Domestic and Cup Achievements

With Barcelona, Messi helped the club win the Copa del Rey in the 2020–21 season, adding to his trophy cabinet. His performances were often match-defining, especially in knockout moments.

In terms of goal contribution, across all club competitions in 2021, Messi totaled 34 goals and 13 assists (in 45 appearances)—a strong output, especially when considering the upheaval in Barcelona in that period.

If you isolate his league performance: 24 goals and 12 assists in La Liga. His overall calendar-year statistics (club + country) put him at around 43 goals and 18 assists in 61 matches. This level of consistency across both domestic and international competitions bolstered his case.

But unlike some prior Ballon d’Or-winning seasons, Messi didn’t dominate every tournament. His showing in the UEFA Champions League, for example, was solid but not spectacular: 7 goals in 7 matches. Even so, when combined with his international feats, the club performances created a compelling whole.

Overcoming the Lewandowski Argument

Many critics argued that Robert Lewandowski had a stronger pure statistical season at club level. With 41 goals in Bundesliga and excellent form in domestic and European competitions, Lewandowski’s supporters felt he had been unfairly edged out.

Here’s how Messi’s advantage came into play:

International Impact: Lewandowski had no significant international trophy or tournament to match Messi’s Copa América. For many voters, that tilted the scales.
Narrative & Timing: Messi’s achievement came with story—his quest for a first senior international trophy. Narrative often resonates in awards voting.
Well-rounded performance: While Lewandowski was a goalscoring machine, Messi’s contributions spanned goals, assists, creativity, leadership, and influence.
Voter sentiment: Some voters might have felt it was “time” for Messi again, or that his broader legacy warranted another crown.

Thus, while Lewandowski may have had a sharper club-only case, Messi’s combination of club + international success and embodied narrative gave him the edge.

The Criticism and Controversy

Even with all the above, Messi’s win didn’t escape critique. Some argued that 2021 was not his sharpest season and that the margin of victory was narrow. Others questioned whether Lewandowski’s season was undervalued.

There were even murmurs and speculation about lobbying or influence in the voting, though nothing conclusive has emerged. Critics often zero in on subjectivity in awards and in how voters weigh different competitions.

But in the end, in a system partly shaped by prestige, impact, and narrative, Messi’s 2021 profile carried compelling weight—even if not everyone agreed.