Kylian Mbappé Is the 2021 Ballon d'Or Winner (at Least for Best Style)
Lionel Messi has done it again. Last night saw the PSG star pick up his seventh Ballon d'Or, the prestigious best player in world football award by French magazine France Football. It was his teammate Kylian Mbappé, however, who stole the show in the style department.
For a fellow who puts the norm in normcore when it comes to his everyday wardrobe, Messi has an inexplicable penchant for intrepid formalwear. At previous ceremonies, he's worn a polka dot tuxedo; a crushed velvet tux; a shiny red tux; a spangly purple tux; and now, a sparkly tux. To mark the occasion, Messi also cajoled his three sons Thiago, Mateo, and Ciro into wearing matching looks, which depending on how you look at it, is either adorable or, as Cristiano Ronaldo fans may argue, somewhat corny.
There's no doubting that the Ballon d'Or event has become a bit of schmaltzy, overblown circus that one could argue stands antithetical to the team ethos of football. (Why was Spiderman there? Why did F1 Drivers Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon cosplay as Daft Punk?) But still, it's nice to see players get the chance to wear something that isn't official club attire — even if it doesn't always come off.
Some of the biggest stars in world football made their way to Paris for the bash, with each donning their Sunday best. See our Ballon d'Or suit rankings from worst to best below.
Jorginho
Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho was always a huge outsider at winning the award, but come on, man. White sneakers at a doo like this?! At least his colleagues Romelu Lukaku and Mason Mount (both in Versace) look good.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
The Yashin award for best goalkeeper went to Italy's Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma, and while we dig the details on his all-black tux, the same colored waistcoat, shirt, and bow tie is a big miss. Still, credit where it's due: when you're a 6ft 5in man mountain, wearing this kind of get up isn't easy. Just ask most basektball players.
Robert Lewandowski
Bobby received the newly introduced Best Striker award, which could be considered something of a poor consolation prize given most had tipped him to win the big one. The fit on this Dolce & Gabbana tux is nice, but we're not sure about the shiny navy cloth and overbearing peak lapels.
Lionel Messi
As much as this wide lapel, effervescing jacket is objectively ridiculous, I'm at the stage where I have grown to admire Messi's commitment to the outlandish. Maybe next year he'll turn up in a full Schiaparelli look.
Kylian Mbappé
A lot of guys hate the black shirt/black suit combination, but the PSG foward (who was disappointed to finish ninth overall) makes a case for it with this extra clean velvet number by Dior. Nice sleeve length to show off the Richard Mille watch, too.