Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe make history in the recently concluded Ballon d'Or gala. Lionel Messi won and became the first man footballer to win six wards from the French Football giving body while Rapinoe won her first Ballon d'Or Féminin and became the first United States women's national team player to achieve it. Many football fans did not see Cristiano Ronaldo during the gala and wonder where the Talisman might be at that time.
The Juventus captain Cristiano Ronaldo skipped the gala of Ballon d'Or to receive his award in Italy. The Talisman won the Serie A Player of the Year award. He was also named as the top flight's best XI. While Messi and other football superstars were in Paris, Ronaldo was at the Gran Gala del Calcio in Milan, Italy.
On the recently revealed list of footballers in the Ballon d'Or, Ronaldo trailed behind Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and far behind this year's winner, Barca captain Lionel Messi. Ronaldo reportedly turned up one hour before the announcement of the main award and arrived over a couple of hours after other guests reveals ESPN. The Italian ceremony gave our recognition and awards to both male and female footballers who were voted by referees, footballers, coaches, and journalists.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi was hailed as the top men's player at the Ballon d'Or gala on Monday. The 31 years old forward made a record of 46 goals for the club and country for this year alone, including the most recent goal for Barcelona during its match against Atletico Madrid. He beat Liverpool's defender Virgil van Dijk, who is a tough contender for the award.
Van Dijk was instrumental in helping Liverpool win the Champions League. Messi and Ronaldo have been interchangeably getting Ballon d'Or for the past years, except last year. But Messi returned on top of his game this year and scored 36 times last season. He also made an unprecedented record in the la Liga, which made him the top scorer in the biggest leagues in Europe and earned him his sixth Golden Shoe award.
Megan Rapinoe meanwhile concluded her incredible year with a win in the Ballon d'Or Féminin in Paris. Along with the Lyon star and Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg, Rapinoe is the first US women's national team player to receive the prestigious recognition. It can be recalled that Rapinoe 's role was crucial in bringing the USWNT to its fourth World Cup title against France.
