Lionel Messi has been named the world’s best football player for the seventh time on Monday, adding to his Ballon d’Or wins in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019.

“It’s incredible to be here again. Two years ago I thought it was the last time. Winning the Copa América was key,” Messi said at Paris’s Theatre du Châtelet.

“It is a special year for me with this Copa América title. It meant a lot to win at the Maracanã Stadium, and I was so happy to celebrate with the people from Argentina.”

English Premier League outfit, Chelsea, was named Club of the Year. That followed a successful year for both their men’s and woman’s sides.

The Men won their second Champions League title, beating out clear favourites Manchester City on a marvellous night in Porto.

The Woman’s side meanwhile won the Women’s Super League and the League cup. They also got to the Women’s Champions League final for the first time in history.