Should Lewandowski have won the Ballon d'Or instead of Messi?
In the aftermath of the glitzy ceremony in the French capital, many believe that the award should have gone to Lewandowski
Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski
Tribune Sports Desk
Publish : 02 Dec 2021, 08:47 AMUpdate : 28 Dec 2021, 02:53 PM
PSG forward and Argentine football great Lionel Messi picked up a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris Monday.
Remarkably, this was the diminutive Argentine's seventh Ballon d'Or in 12 years, a feat unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.
It was not a walk in the park for Messi like the previous years though as the voting was one of the closest witnessed in recent times; the former Barcelona man only pipping Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski by 613-580 points.
However, in the aftermath of the glitzy ceremony in the French capital, many believe that the award should have gone instead to Lewandowski.
The tall striker was definitely unlucky last year as Covid restrictions forced organizers to cancel the annual event after he bagged an incredible six trophies in a calendar year.
And this year too, many feel Lewandowski was not properly recognized for his brilliant exploits with both club and country.
Former Ballon d'Or winner and German football legend Lothar Matthaus led the chorus of discontent, whether it be in the football world or across social media, saying, "Honestly, I don’t understand anything anymore. With all due respect to Messi and the other great players named, none deserved it as much as Lewandowski. To be as remarkable as the Bayern striker, and practically week after week."
Matthaus and countless others certainly have their case.
The Poland captain continued his excellent 2020 form into this year, scoring 41 goals in 29 Bundesliga games, which broke Gerd Muller’s 49-year record, reports Eurosport.
This meant that he was the top scorer out of every other player in Europe.
He also broke a club record for scoring in 19 consecutive matches for Bayern, which is simply ridiculous.
The 33-year old found the net 48 times last season - the sixth consecutive year he has posted 40 or more goals, reports The Sun.
Even the man Messi himself sympathized with the Pole, saying, "I would like to mention Lewandowski, it’s been a real honor to compete with you. Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year. I think France Football should award you your 2020 Ballon d’Or - you deserve it and you should have it at home."
Previously Messi lifted all kinds of titles with Barca prior to his PSG move, but an international title had long eluded him before he eventually won it earlier this year in the Copa America.
This perhaps had a significant bearing in the voting process, and rightly so, as football romantics finally got to see one of the greatest ever in Messi finally clinching silverware with his beloved Albiceleste.
To add to that, he was named the player of the tournament and also scored joint highest four goals.
But even then, the Lewandowski faithful has pointed out that he was the third most influential Argentine player in the Copa after playmaker Rodrigo de Paul and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne meanwhile, said the Ballon d'Or should simply have been awarded to someone who was the best in the two years combined, and Lewandowski had De Bruyne's vote.
“If I had to choose myself personally, I'm going to look at a two-year period, because we didn't have anyone [last year],” said De Bruyne, who finished eighth this year.
“I'd choose Lewandowski for what he has done in the last two years - goalscoring wise, and also he's won a lot with Bayern. He would be my pick.”
To conclude matters, no one can deny Messi is one of the greatest players ever, and perhaps emotion and romance played some part in the voting after Argentina ended their long 28-year wait for a trophy, but if cold hard facts are anything to go by, then Lewandowski certainly deserves this award.
Should Lewandowski have won the Ballon d'Or instead of Messi?
PSG forward and Argentine football great Lionel Messi picked up a record-extending seventh Ballon d'Or at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris Monday.
Remarkably, this was the diminutive Argentine's seventh Ballon d'Or in 12 years, a feat unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.
It was not a walk in the park for Messi like the previous years though as the voting was one of the closest witnessed in recent times; the former Barcelona man only pipping Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski by 613-580 points.
However, in the aftermath of the glitzy ceremony in the French capital, many believe that the award should have gone instead to Lewandowski.
The tall striker was definitely unlucky last year as Covid restrictions forced organizers to cancel the annual event after he bagged an incredible six trophies in a calendar year.
And this year too, many feel Lewandowski was not properly recognized for his brilliant exploits with both club and country.
Former Ballon d'Or winner and German football legend Lothar Matthaus led the chorus of discontent, whether it be in the football world or across social media, saying, "Honestly, I don’t understand anything anymore. With all due respect to Messi and the other great players named, none deserved it as much as Lewandowski. To be as remarkable as the Bayern striker, and practically week after week."
Matthaus and countless others certainly have their case.
The Poland captain continued his excellent 2020 form into this year, scoring 41 goals in 29 Bundesliga games, which broke Gerd Muller’s 49-year record, reports Eurosport.
This meant that he was the top scorer out of every other player in Europe.
He also broke a club record for scoring in 19 consecutive matches for Bayern, which is simply ridiculous.
The 33-year old found the net 48 times last season - the sixth consecutive year he has posted 40 or more goals, reports The Sun.
Even the man Messi himself sympathized with the Pole, saying, "I would like to mention Lewandowski, it’s been a real honor to compete with you. Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year. I think France Football should award you your 2020 Ballon d’Or - you deserve it and you should have it at home."
Previously Messi lifted all kinds of titles with Barca prior to his PSG move, but an international title had long eluded him before he eventually won it earlier this year in the Copa America.
This perhaps had a significant bearing in the voting process, and rightly so, as football romantics finally got to see one of the greatest ever in Messi finally clinching silverware with his beloved Albiceleste.
To add to that, he was named the player of the tournament and also scored joint highest four goals.
But even then, the Lewandowski faithful has pointed out that he was the third most influential Argentine player in the Copa after playmaker Rodrigo de Paul and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin de Bruyne meanwhile, said the Ballon d'Or should simply have been awarded to someone who was the best in the two years combined, and Lewandowski had De Bruyne's vote.
“If I had to choose myself personally, I'm going to look at a two-year period, because we didn't have anyone [last year],” said De Bruyne, who finished eighth this year.
“I'd choose Lewandowski for what he has done in the last two years - goalscoring wise, and also he's won a lot with Bayern. He would be my pick.”
To conclude matters, no one can deny Messi is one of the greatest players ever, and perhaps emotion and romance played some part in the voting after Argentina ended their long 28-year wait for a trophy, but if cold hard facts are anything to go by, then Lewandowski certainly deserves this award.
Source: The Sun, Eurosport
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