PARIS: Argentina's Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or award for the best player in the world for the seventh time on Monday, defeating Robert Lewandowski and Jorginho to retain soccer's most prestigious trophy.

After winning Copa America for the first time with his country last July, the forward added to his 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019 trophies.

"It's incredible to be back here. I thought it was the last time two years ago. "Winning the Copa America was crucial," Messi said at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

"It is a special year for me with this Copa America title. It meant a lot to win at the Maracana stadium and I was so happy to celebrate with the people from Argentina.

"I don't know if it's the best year of my life, I've had a long career, but it was a special one with the title with Argentina after the tough times and the criticism."

Messi, who joined PSG on a free transfer from Barcelona after finishing as La Liga's top scorer with the Spanish club, had 613 points, while Bayern Munich's Lewandowski, who was named best striker on Monday, had 580.

Jorginho, who won the Champions League and the European Championship with Italy, finished third on 460 points, ahead of France's Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante, who finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Chelsea was named club of the year, and keeper Edouard Mendy finished second in the Yashin trophy to Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The women's Ballon d'Or was awarded to Alexia Putellas, the Spain midfielder who led Barcelona to Champions League victory.

"The Champions League final against Olympique Lyonnais was a watershed moment," she said.

Putellas is the third Ballon d'Or Feminin winner, following Ada Hegerberg in 2018 and Megan Rapinoe in 2019. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was no ceremony last year.

On a successful night for Barcelona, Pedri, 19, was awarded the Kopa trophy for the best Under-21 player.

"Receiving this award is the best way to celebrate turning 19. I'd like to thank everyone in Barcelona for their assistance," he said.

Edited - SportsAction / Inputs - Agency