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#3 Cristiano Ronaldo
Even at 36, Ronaldo keeps performing at the highest level. The all-time great finished as the top scorer at Euro 2020 alongside Patrik Schick, scoring five goals. Cristiano Ronaldo, the Golden Boot winner at the tournament, made history by becoming the first player to score at least ten goals overall in Euro history.
During the year, Ronaldo (115 goals) became the most prolific male scorer in international football. The Portuguese is also the all-time top scorer at the Euros, with 14 goals. He bagged 13 goals and an assist in 2021 for Portugal.
Based on the new playoffs system, either Italy or Portugal will miss out on the 2022 World Cup. If Portugal qualify, the 2022 edition of the World Cup may well prove to be Ronaldo's last. However, given his mentality and commitment, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him don the Portugal jersey in the 2026 edition too.
#2 Gianluigi Donnarumma
At just 22, Gianluigi Donnarumma has had a tremendous amount of success. The 6' 5" tall goalie made his first senior appearance with AC Milan at 16. Donnarumma won the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper of the year in 2021. He is the second winner of the award introduced two years ago.
Donnarumma played a key role in Italy's success at the Euros, saving two penalties against England in the final shootout. He won the Euro Player of the Tournament award. A commanding presence at goal, Donaarumma was Italy's brick wall at the tournament.
The 22-year-old has kept an impressive ten clean sheets in international football in 2021. He joined Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and is competing with Keylor Navas to become the team's first-choice custodian. With a substantial part of his career ahead of him, the Italian has the potential to become the world's best.
#1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi enjoyed a historic year in 2021 in more ways than one. For starters, he left his beloved Barcelona and joined PSG. The Argentine superstar also had a remarkable year in international football in 2021.
Messi led Argentina to the Copa America title, ending their senior trophy drought spanning almost three decades. Messi had always been the fulcrum of Barcelona. Despite underwhelming teammates around, he still led the La Liga scoring charts last season with 30 goals.
The Argentine bagged nine international goals and five assists in 2021. He was the driving force of his national side, with four goals and five assists in Argentina's triumphant Copa America 2021 campaign/
That amounts to nine goal involvements out of Argentina's 11 goals in the tournament. His superb performances and Copa América glory set the stage for his record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or award. The 34-year-old will look to lead his team to World Cup glory next year in Qatar.
