PARIS: Lionel Messi has been awarded a seventh Ballon d’Or by the French football magazine France Football.

But the Argentinian’s latest prize was overshadowed by his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo – himself a recipient of five awards – who branded one of the event’s organisers a ‘liar’ hours before the ceremony in Paris.

Messi dashed the hopes of Robert Lewandowski, who came runner-up, and the 14 Premier League-based nominees to retain the honour he last won in 2019.

Messi said: “It’s incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa America was key.”

“It’s incredible to win it for the seventh time. I would like to thank my family, my friends and all the people who follow me and always support me, because without them I couldn’t have done it.”

The Women’s Ballon d’Or was won by Spain’s Alexia Putellas with England pair Fran Kirkby and Ellen White were among the nominees, while Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma was crowned goalkeeper of the year.

But it was Ronaldo who remained at the centre of attention after he issued a stinging rebuke to Pascal Ferre, the editor-in-chief of France Football, whose organisation oversaw the star-studded ceremony.

In an interview published last week, Ferre had told the New York Times:  “Ronaldo has only one ambition, and that is to retire with more Ballons d’Or than Messi, and I know that because he has told me.”

That provoked a furious reaction from the Manchester United forward.

“Pascal Ferre lied, he used my name to promote himself and to promote the publication he works for,” Ronaldo wrote on social media.

“It is unacceptable that the person responsible for awarding such a prestigious prize could lie in this way, in absolute disrespect for someone who has always respected France Football and the Ballon d’Or.

“The biggest ambition of my career is to win national and international titles for the clubs I represent and for the national team in my country.

“The biggest ambition of my career is to be a good example for all those who are or want to be professional footballers. The biggest ambition of my career is to leave my name written in golden letters in the history of world football.”

Ronaldo’s remarks appeared to be timed to coincide with the start of the presentation night. He also took issue with suggestions his non-attendance on Monday was due to quarantine, or that he is a sore loser.

“He (Ferre) lied again today, justifying my absence from the gala with an alleged quarantine that has no reason to exist,” continued the player’s Instagram post.

“I always want to congratulate those who win, within the sportsmanship and fair play that have guided my career since the beginning, and I do it because I’m never against anyone. I always win for myself and for the clubs I represent, I win for myself and for those who love me. I don’t win against anyone.”

Ronaldo was not the only significant absentee in the French capital; Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah could not attend the ceremony as he is preparing for Wednesday’s Merseyside derby.

It also proved a night of disappointment for the numerous Chelsea nominees who have backed up last May’s Champions League win with a brilliant start to this year’s Premier League campaign. Chelsea were consoled by being named the ‘Club of the Year’ for the achievement of the men’s and women’s teams.

Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski will consider himself most unfortunate to miss out on the main award. He was expected to win in 2020, but the ceremony was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Since then he has continued to deliver amazing numbers in the Bundesliga and Champions League. The Polish striker has struck 73 goals in 60 games since the start of last season. He was the FIFA and UEFA player of the year in 2020 and was named striker of the year.

But that has not been enough to sway the voting panel, which includes 180 journalists representing countries from across the world. Either Messi or Ronaldo has been the winner every season except one since 2008, when Luka Modric managed to break the duopoly in 2018.

By his extraordinary standards,  34-year-old Messi has endured a tough 12 months, leaving Barcelona in tears last summer and making an inauspicious start to his career at Paris St-Germain.

He still won the Copa del Rey with Barca and the Copa America with Argentina last summer. But La Liga and Champions League disappointment preceded his shock exit from the Nou Camp. Nevertheless, few were surprised on the night when the Argentine legend added the 2021 edition to a personal trophy cabinet that also holds the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 editions.

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