NewsNational Team A
Robert Lewandowski the best football player in the world!
Robert Lewandowski was voted the world's best football player in FIFA's 2021 Best Awards. The striker of the Polish national team and Bayern Munich beat Leo Messi and Mohamed Salah in a vote of national team captains and head coaches, journalists, as well as fans across the globe. "Lewy" was also included in the FIFA team of the year. Hats off!
The Polish striker won the FIFA Best Award for the second time in his career. He previously won the statuette a year ago, when he was recognised for his outstanding performance in 2020. The "France Football" Golden Ball gala did not take place that year so the award presented by FIFA was the most prestigious individual award for a football player.
The last few months have been excellent for Lewandowski. In 2021, he scored a staggering 69 goals in 55 matches for Bayern Munich and the Polish national team. He won the German championship with his team. He also broke two records held by Gerd Müller – the number of goals scored in a single Bundesliga season (41 goals in the 2020/21 season) and in one calendar year in the German Premier League (43 goals in 2021).
The 33-year-old recently won the Diego Maradona Award at the Globe Soccer Awards for his shooting skills. Meanwhile, "France Football" voted him the best striker of 2021. Lewandowski also came second in the Golden Ball Awards, just after Leo Messi. Today, the captain of the Polish national team repaid the Argentinian. He was voted the best football player in the world.
Due to the pandemic, the FIFA Best Awards ceremony in Zurich was held online. The result of the vote for the Football Player of the Year was announced by Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA. The hosts of the gala met with the winners and awardees online. The award was presented to Lewandowski on behalf of the world federation by Oliver Kahn, president of Bayern and legendary former goalkeeper. He was also accompanied by Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić and coach Julian Nagelsmann.
"I will be very happy if he wins this award. I hope he gets what he deserves on Monday. Robert is a very good player but also a great man," said Nagelsmann at a press conference after Saturday's match against Köln, in which the Polish national team player scored a hat-trick. "Lewy" has already scored 300 goals in the Bundesliga!
Lewandowski was also selected for FIFA's FIFPRO best team of 2021. This is a great honour! The Pole was included in the attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Leo Messi. The midfielders included Jorginho, N'golo Kante and Kevin De Bruyne. The defence was formed by David Alaba, Ruben Dias and Leonardo Bonucci, with Gianluigi Donnarumma supporting them from behind.
The highlight of the Zurich gala was the selection of the Football Player of the Year but the winners in other categories were also announced at the FIFA Best Awards ceremony.
