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Investigating The Most Egregious Ballon d'Or Winners Of The Last 20 Years

After a decade-plus of domination by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, fans expected Ballon d'Or voting to bring some different results in 2021.

The obvious choice was Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski, who was coming off a record-breaking 41-goal campaign in the Bundesliga. 

Instead it was Messi — seemingly entering the twilight of his career — who won the award for the seventh time. "Surely something must be done," the people exclaimed at this perceived injustice. "He still can't be the best player in the world."

Ronaldo Finishes 6th In Ballon d’Or Voting, Doesn’t Attend Ceremony And Still Steals The Show

Lionel Messi edged Robert Lewandowski for the men’s 2021 Ballon d’Or, the Argentine’s record-extending seventh trophy as the best men’s player in the world. But Cristiano Ronaldo, who didn’t even attend the award show in Paris, still managed to make it all about him.

Messi, who this year helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa América and Barcelona win the Copa del Rey (lol), was also named the world’s best men’s player in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019. 

Italy, Portugal Placed In Same World Cup Qualifying Path, Can’t Both Make 2022 World Cup

The last two European champions, Italy and Portugal, could face each other for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they were drawn in the same path for the playoffs in Zurich on Friday.

The 12 teams — 10 of which finished runners-up in their groups — were split into three four-team paths, each with its own semi-finals and final. Seeded teams were guaranteed a home game in the semifinals.

European Heavyweights Given One Last Chance To Qualify For 2022 World Cup Through UEFA Playoffs

The past two European champions could have to play against each other in a playoff for a place at next year’s World Cup as a consequence of failing to secure automatic qualification this week.

Both Italy, who won the continental title in July, and Portugal, who were winners of Euro 2016, will be on tenterhooks as they await the outcome of the draw for the March playoffs for the 12 European countries who remain in contention for three places at the World Cup.

Knives Out For Portugal’s Coach After Stunning Failure To Directly Qualify For Qatar

On Sunday in front of 65,000 faithful at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal — needing only a draw to qualify for the World Cup — threw it all away in the 90th minute by allowing Aleksandar Mitrović to convert a back post header that sent Serbia to Qatar instead.

90th-Minute Goal Sends Serbia To World Cup And Condemns Ronaldo’s Portugal To Playoffs

LISBON - Serbia clinched an automatic berth in the 2022 World Cup finals after a 90th-minute header by halftime substitute Aleksandar Mitrović gave them a comeback 2-1 win over Portugal in their Group A qualifier on Sunday.

The result lifted Serbia into top spot on 20 points, three more than second-placed Portugal who only needed a draw to finish top on goal difference and qualify but will now head into the March playoffs.

Matt Besler Is Retiring; We Remember When He Frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo

Kansas legend and former USMNT center back Matt Besler announced his retirement on Wednesday. Besler made a club-record 348 appearances for Sporting KC, but we’ll always remember him for one night in Manaus. And one Instagram post, but we’ll get to that later.

Besler recorded 47 caps for the USMNT, including four starts at the 2014 World Cup. He made his retirement plans official with a tweet on Wednesday morning. 

Best Futsal Player Of All Time Retires, So Let’s Watch His 3 Greatest Goals

After 18 years representing Portugal and a club career that included three triumphs in the Champions League, Ricardinho, the six-time Best Futsal Player in the World, has decided to call it a career at the age of 36.  

Meet Gavin Bazunu: The 19-Year-Old Tabbed As The Next Great Irish Keeper

On Aug. 21, teenage goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu earned a shutout for League One leader Portsmouth against Doncaster Rovers. Just 11 days later, the Manchester City loanee was making his fifth international start for the Republic of Ireland.

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