Tuesday, November 30th, 2021
Press comments on Messi’s triumph
The “scandal election” outraged almost nobody
From a German point of view, there can only be one world footballer: Robert Lewandowski, who last season broke a record that had been held for decades. Somebody else fetches the Ballon d’Or. And the world press outside Germany is very relaxed about it.
Robert Lewandowski did not become a world footballer, instead Lionel Messi grabbed the Ballon d’Or for the seventh time. Football Germany is flabbergasted, the boulevard is raging. After all, Lewandowski broke Gerd Müller’s “eternal” record: the Pole scored 41 goals last season, one more than Müller in 1971/72. In 2020, the biggest goalscorer of the time had shot Bayern to all available titles.
Lewandowski’s bad luck: Due to the pandemic, the Ballon d’Or 2020 was not awarded. Lewandowski would have been sure of the award. Lewandowski has now been “passed over”, probably also because Bayern have had a mediocre year despite the striker’s huge statistics. In the Champions League – without Lewandowski – the quarter-finals were over, the ninth championship title in a row is not particularly glamorous in international perception.
Lionel Messi, who only won the Spanish Cup with his FC Barcelona, can celebrate again. This is particularly surprising from the German point of view. In the election, which is made by journalists around the world, the Argentine triumphs above all because of a glamorous title that is often overlooked in the Bundesliga-centrist outrage: Messi won the Copa America for the first time and was with and for Argentina in 2021 the outstanding player at the tournament. The importance of the tournament for Messi and all of South America can hardly be overestimated. The international press is correspondingly indignant. After all, there is a horrified voice in Argentina of all places.
Germany
“Image”: Scandal election! Lewandowski only second.
“Kicker”: Lewandowski outdone: Messi wins Ballon d’Or 2021: Lionel Messi has also won the Ballon d’Or in 2021. Robert Lewandowski had to admit defeat.
“Image”: That can not be true! The Ballon d’Or, the award for the best footballer in the world, does NOT go to Robert Lewandowski (33). A scandalous choice.
“Mirrors”: Ballon d’Or for Messi, consolation prize for Lewandowski. Robert Lewandowski applauded politely – but the huge disappointment of the 33-year-old exceptional striker in the “Theater du Chatelet” in Paris was clearly noticeable.
“Southgerman newspaper”: Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for the seventh time, outdoing world footballer Robert Lewandowski. This means that Lewandowski is still denied the coveted trophy. After the triple season 2020, the 33-year-old had set new records this year.
“Sports picture”: Why not Pélé? It was good too …: Messi takes 7th Ballon d’Or, big disappointment for Robert Lewandowski.
“tz”: Ballon d’Or: scandalous election? Lewandowski goes away empty-handed – Ronaldo ends up far behind.
France
“L’Équipe”: Indestructible: Lionel Messi, the Argentine star striker who joined PSG this summer from his longtime club Barça, won the Ballon d’Or.
“Le Parisien”: Golden Ball 2021: is Messi the best player of all time with his seventh award?
“Eurosport.fr”: Golden Ball: Messi’s seventh miracle ahead of Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho.
“Le Figaro”: Ballon d’Or 2021: Messi crowned for the seventh time, Benzema fourth.
Spain
“Marca”: Messi touches the sky with his seventh Ballon d’Or! He did what was expected and won his seventh Ballon d’Or by defeating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho.
“As”: Messi and Alexia Putella’s Ballon d’Or winners 2021: PSG’s Argentine has won his seventh Ballon d’Or.
“Mundo Deportivo”: Messi wins his seventh Ballon d’Or.
Argentina
“La Clarín”: Lionel Messi wins his seventh Ballon d’Or and continues to build his figure in football history.
“La Nación”: Ballon d’Or: “Sorry, Robert.” “France Football” is wrong again.
England
“Guardian”: Lionel Messi has won his seventh Ballon d’Or, beating Robert Lewandowski. The FC Bayern striker finished second after being the big favorite for last year’s title before the awards ceremony was canceled due to the pandemic.
“The Sun”: Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d’Or for the seventh time: The Argentine beat Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho from Chelsea, who took second and third place.
“The Telegraph”: Lionel Messi wins his seventh Ballon d’Or after Cristiano Ronaldo called the organizer a “liar”: Robert Lewandowski finished second, Jorginho third.
“Daily Mail”: Lionel Messi beats Robert Lewandowski by a hair’s breadth and wins his seventh Ballon d’Or. The star of FC Bayern has to be satisfied with the new “Striker of the Year” award.
Italy
“Gazzetta dello Sport”: It’s always Messi! The seventh Ballon d’Or. Lewandowski second, Italy celebrates three with Jorginho.
“Corriere della Sera”: Messi wins for the seventh time. Lewandowski second, Jorginho third.
Switzerland
“View”: Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’Or, Lewandowski outdone! Messi defends his title and receives the Ballon d’Or trophy for the seventh time. In the summer, he almost single-handedly secured Argentina their first Copa America title since 1993.
Austria
“LaOla1”: Seventh Ballon d’Or for Messi! The Argentine relegates Bayern goal getter Lewandowski to second place.
“Kronenzeitung”: Lionel Messi wins the Ballon d’Or! Lewandowski beaten.
Poland
“Wprost”: Leo Messi wins the Golden Ball 2021! Robert Lewandowski right behind him: Earlier speculations have been confirmed in reality. Leo Messi was awarded the Golden Ball for the seventh time. Robert Lewandowski finished second.
“Polityka”: Robert Lewandowski second. Golden ball for Leo Messi: Lionel Messi wins for the seventh time. Robert Lewandowski in second place, but he leaves Paris with the title of best striker in 2021. The Argentine paid tribute to the Polish class in his closing speech.