On November 29 the Ballon d'Or gala will be held and there is a clear favourite to win: Leo Messi. The Argentine is in pole position to be named the best footballer in the world in 2021. If so, Messi would further enlarge his legend by winning his seventh award: more than any other player in history. Again, and how could it be otherwise? Messi has been nominated among the 30 finalists for the highest individual award that can be awarded to a footballer. Except for in 2018, the Argentine has always been among the three most voted players since 2007. This year will be no exception.

Lionel Messi was extremely influential for both club and country in the 2020-21 season. Without further ado, let's take a look at five amazing achievements that make the PSG forward the favourite to win the Ballon d'Or this year.

5 Top scorer and assist provider at Copa America 2021

Messi’s overall performance in the tournament was nothing short of remarkable. His 4 goals and 5 assists pushed his nation all the way to the final. He was then awarded with the trophy for the tournament’s best player. As well as top scorer and playmaker in the Copa. Many people will look at this now and say that the GOAT debate is officially closed. Messi finally won an international trophy, so there is nothing standing in his way now.

4 Won the Pichichi Trophy in the 2020-21 season

Three times in as many years, and six times in total, Leo Messi headed the top goalscorer chart in LaLiga.

In 2020/21 he scored 30 goals in 34 games in the Spanish top flight. And he is the joint record holder for Pichichi awards.

3 Best Player at Copa America 2021

Without a doubt, the title most celebrated by Leo Messi in recent years. Reaching the final of the Copa America on four occasions and the World Cup on one, the Argentine was finally able to conquer a great title with the Argentine team. The 2021 Copa América will be remembered by all Argentines as a milestone in the history of their football.

Messi led the 'albiceleste' throughout the tournament, participating in nine goals with his selection: four goals and five assists. In fact, the No 10 was the top scorer in the tournament (tied with the Colombian Luis Fernando Díaz) and was also chosen as the best player in the Copa América, receiving the Golden Ball.

2 Most man of the match awards in the 2020-21 season

Leo became the first player in football history to win the MVP, top scorer, top assist provider, and the title in any international tournament. No other footballer has been able to do that in any Copa America, European Championship, or World Cup. For this alone, Messi deserves to be the main favorite for his seventh Ballon d’Or title.

But none of that matters for Leo. All he cared about was winning something with his beloved Argentina. The rest is just an added bonus for his amazing year.

1 Winning Copa America

Lionel Messi could not hide his delight after Argentina won their 15th Copa America on Saturday evening. For the former Barcelona star in particular it was a special night as he won his first major international trophy with his nation in his tenth major tournament. The 34-year-old is widely considered one of the greatest players in the world, but the lack of major international silverware during his decorated career has always been questioned.

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