How will Messi's Ballon d'Or win affect Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League?

It is no longer news that Lionel Messi has been awarded his seventh Ballon d'Or trophy ahead of Robert Lewandowski, Jorginho, Karim Benzema and N'golo Kanté but the highlight of it all was Robert Lewandowski who many felt should have won it.

Robert Lewandowski was the clear winner of the 2020 award which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. He was outstanding in 2021 as well and could have won so as Messi but to say Messi doesn't deserve it is unfair.

The implication of Lewandowski losing out to Messi sounds funny but it is something that won't be expressed but done. Messi's former club Barcelona needs a win against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena to proceed to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League or a draw and hope the result of the match between Dynamo Kyiv and Benfica favours them.

Many soccer fans have the impression that Robert Lewandowski and his teammates, especially Thomas Muller, will be in revenge mode and will do everything to beat and ensure Barcelona are sent down to the UEFA Europa League.