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#3 Lionel Messi (Barcelona/PSG/Argentina)
The winner of the Ballon d'Or award in 2021, Lionel Messi, comes in at #3 on our list. Messi's defining moment this year was finally winning an international trophy with Argentina. The left-footed magician inspired Argentina with some stunning performances in the Copa America as they overcame Brazil in the final.
If this list was made only after August, Messi would probably have been in the number 1 position. However, since his move to PSG, the Argentine has not been at his very best and is slowly settling down in Paris.
Messi's achievements this year are still extraordinary. The 7-time Ballon d'Or winner finished as Barcelona's highest goalscorer of the year, won the best player award at Copa America and is PSG's top scorer in the UEFA Champions League.
Messi is always at his best in the latter stages of the season and PSG will be counting on him to deliver an elusive UCL title this season.
#2 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid/France)
Karim Benzema narrowly edges out Lionel Messi to the #2 position. The Real Madrid superstar has been in stunning form this year. The undisputed star player for Los Blancos, Benzema's stats this season have been extraordinary.
In 18 La Liga appearances this season, the 34-year-old Frenchman has 15 goals and 7 assists and has put Real Madrid well on their way to another league title. Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure, the skillful forward has taken his game to the next level and is undoubtedly one of the greatest strikers of this generation.
Benzema also made his much awaited return to the French national team this year. Although Euro 2020 did not go according to plan, Benzema showed his class in the UEFA Nations League, even scoring a crucial goal in the final.
A forward at the peak of his game, Benzema will be hoping to continue his great form in 2022.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich/Poland)
Arguably the best player over the last 2 years, Robert Lewandowski has had a stunning 2021. A supreme goalscorer who is just deadly in front of goal, Lewandowski will feel slightly aggrieved that he did not win the Ballon d'Or award this year.
In a historic 2020/21 campaign, the Polish superstar broke Gerd Muller's long-standing record of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga season. Although Bayern Munich did not win the UEFA Champions League last season, Lewandowski's importance to the team can be seen from the fact that he was missing through injury in their loss against PSG.
Lewandowski's contribution to the Polish national team this year should also not be swept under the rug. The 33-year-old has scored 8 goals in 8 appearances in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and will be hoping to book a spot at Qatar 2022 when Poland take the field in their World Cup playoff campaign next year.
Undoubtedly the best striker in world football at the moment, Robert Lewandowski is crowned Sportskeeda's best football player for the year 2021.
