Lionel Messi won the men’s Ballon d’Or for a record-extending seventh time, ending the year in style after a brilliant final season with Barcelona and earning his first major international trophy with Argentina.
Alexia Putellas became the third winner of the women’s award for an outstanding season with Barcelona and Spain
The 34-year-old Messi led Argentina to the Copa America title in July after losing in four major international finals. Messi finished with 613 points to top prolific Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski on 580.
“I’m very happy to be here, happy to keep fighting for new trophies,” he said through a translator on Monday.
“I don’t know how many years I have left, but I hope many more. I’d like to thank all my (former) teammates at Barcelona and Argentina.”
