Paris Saint-Germain has firmly rejected allegations of attempting to exert undue influence on France Football magazine in a bid to secure Lionel Messi’s victory over Robert Lewandowski in the contentious 2021 Ballon d’Or race.

The controversy unfolded when Messi, emotionally departing Barcelona, joined PSG in a high-profile summer transfer, leaving a lasting impact on the football community. Le Monde reported that PSG allegedly sought favor from Pascal Ferre, the then-president of France Football magazine, anticipating a favorable outcome in the Ballon d’Or vote.

In 2021, Messi claimed his seventh Ballon d’Or, narrowly surpassing Robert Lewandowski, who was at Bayern Munich at the time. Despite claims by Ferre denying any irregularities and asserting his vote for Lewandowski, he is currently employed as PSG’s communications director. Le Monde’s investigation reveals that Ferre received gifts, including match tickets and a business class flight from PSG in 2020 and 2021, during his tenure with France Football magazine, according to the General Inspectorate of the National Police.

Messi’s triumph, while celebrated by PSG, was marred by controversy. The Argentine star acknowledged Lewandowski’s merit in his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech, expressing regret for the perceived snub. He commended Lewandowski’s exceptional performance, acknowledging his prowess as a striker and goal-scorer.

Despite Messi’s acknowledgement, Lewandowski has not been afforded another opportunity to contend for the Ballon d’Or. Given his current career stage, prospects for future contention appear remote. Nevertheless, Messi’s words resonated with Lewandowski, who described the moment as meaningful and appreciated Messi’s recognition. The acknowledgment occurred during a memorable night, with communication facilitated through Kylian Mbappe translating for Lewandowski and Messi due to language barriers.

In conclusion, PSG vehemently denies any wrongdoing in influencing the Ballon d’Or results, and the controversy surrounding Messi’s victory over Lewandowski continues to be a topic of scrutiny and discussion within the football community.