Here's why Lionel Messi should win Ballon d'Or in 2021

The Argentine is a favourite to lift the biggest individual prize in football for an unprecedented seventh time in December.

There is nothing left to be said about Lionel Messi and what he has achieved in the game. The Argentine has won everything individually and collectively, with both club and country. He is arguably the best player in the history of the sport and has the credentials to back the claim.

Lionel Messi's records are innumerable and he continues to mesmerize audiences and break records with much aplomb. The consistency that the Argentine shows even at this age is a testament to his class.

His continued brilliance once again pits him as the top favourite to lift the Ballon d'Or, the biggest individual prize in the game. Messi is no stranger to this trophy, having won it a record six times before. But, he is once again an odds-on favourite to lift the title. Winning the Ballon d'Or this year will extend his record to a further seventh individual accolade. Here we look at three reasons why the Argentine should receive the award this year:

Performance at club level in 2021

Lionel Messi continued his tradition of scoring goals and breaking records for club and country. The Argentine's current tally for the calendar year 2021 stands at 40 goals and 14 assists in 52 games, even though his start to life at his new club Paris Saint-Germain hasn't been great.

Messi's goal contribution still continues to be more than a goal a game. This shows the level at which the Argentine operates. Therefore, his outstanding stats and success help Messi to show cause to win his seventh individual honour this year.

Crucial part of his team's successes

The tally of Lionel Messi this year include 31 goals and nine assists at the club level. He also scored nine goals and provided five assists in 15 games for Argentina. Messi has won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona, the last of his 35 titles with the Catalan club. He then went on to script history by winning his first-ever international trophy. Messi lifted the Copa America with La Albiceleste.

He was the top scorer in La Liga in the 2020-21 season as well as the top goalscorer and assist-provider in the Copa America. Therefore, it proved that Messi was still the cornerstone of his respective team's successes.

International triumph with Argentina

The only trophy missing from Messi's burgeoning cabinet of accolades was a winner's medal around his neck with Argentina. But, after so many years of toil and heartbreak, the Argentine finally lifted the Copa America.

Of course, an international trophy would merit a lot of focus. Messi was also the top scorer and assist-provider in the competition. Therefore, he was also the vital cog in Argentina's wheel. Lionel Messi also became the highest-scoring South American in history, when he surpassed the tally of 77 goals set by the legendary Pele.

Therefore, his contribution to Argentina's first trophy after more than two decades is sure to work in his favour when it comes to the voting for the Ballon d'Or.

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