Argentina captain Lionel Messi voted for Neymar as top preference for The Best Men's Footballer 2021 award, followed by Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema. Cristiano Ronaldo's first preference was Robert Lewandowski, followed by N’Golo Kanté and Jorginho. Eventual winner Lewandowski picked Jorginho as top preference, followed by Messi and Ronaldo. Sunil Chhetri's first preference was Lewandowski.