Former Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus was also critical of the voting process. He also holds the record as Poland's all-time top scorer with 76 goals during his time in the national team, placing him 11th in the record books for most international goals, and only behind. The voting structure adds to the pedigree of the award, with captains and managers of national teams across the globe given the chance to have their say. Karim Benzema has broken Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's dominance of the Ballon d'Or after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League during the 2021/22 season. Watch: The evolution of Robert Lewandowski. Either Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo (five wins). Robert, you deserve your Ballon dOr, the PSG forward said when accepting his prize. It made for a curiouscoincidence that France Football, the publication thathas been awarding theBallon d'Orsince 1956, came up with a new award in 2021 to honor the best striker in the world. Cmon France Football, do something right for once. Robert Lewandowski has finished second in the Ballon d'Or vote, with Lionel Messi winning the award for a record seventh time. Over the entirety of the campaign, Lewandowski only failed to score in nine of his 47 appearances in all competitions. We all know he should . 5. Before the Champions League final, he told BBC Radio 5 Live: "Lewandowski has been amazing for a good part of a decade but this year he has gone up another level. Organisers France Football are not awarding it for the first time since 1956 because of the coronavirus pause, saying there was a "lack of a sufficiently level playing field". , How Man Utd can end their Anfield hoodoo , Where next for Neymar? var months = new Array ("January","February","March","April","May","June","July","August","September","October","November","December") ", MORE: Ronaldo fires back at France Football editor comment. 28 - Vlahovi (N/A) "I think every player who won what we won or scored so many goals should maybe win this Ballon d'Or.". They also have a different voting system.The Best has two phases: first, a panel of experts chooses the 10 nominees per award. Gambling problem? Lionel Messi has won the men's 2021 Ballon d'Or, and a record seventh trophy, at an awards ceremony in Paris on Monday evening.. Messi, 34, held off the challenge of Bayern Munich's Robert . On Monday evening Lionel Messi won the . The Paris. "Congratulations Leo Messi and Alexia Putellas, winners of the Ballon d'Or 2021," Lewandowski tweeted afterwards. Now of course, you know what were going to say next. In 2020 Lewandowski has banished any lingering question marks against his record, finally winning his first Champions League trophy and scoring vital goals along the way. Bayern's Bundesliga campaign starts 26 days after their Champions League final win over Paris St-Germain. That record is unlikely to ever be beaten, although only two of those goals have come at a major tournament, a record that he would like to improve next summer. The Bayern Munich and Poland marksman has again banged in the goals . There was recognition for a host of Bundesliga youngsters too, with Jude Bellingham coming second in the Kepa Trophy for the best U21 player, while Jamal Musiala was third, Florian Wirtz seventh and Gio Reyna ninth. Lewy was forced to be a one-man-show. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Ballon d'Or 2021: How Robert Lewandowski became the world's most efficient, and misunderstood, goal machine Lewandowski can appear a little robotic, relentlessly crushing lesser opponents. Despite all the knee injuries, Ronaldo still managed to win two Ballon d'Or awards in 1997 and 2002. The fact head coach Julian Nagelsmann, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic and CEO Oliver Kahn have made the trip could bode well for Lewy Lewandowski isn't just Bayern's talisman, he's Poland's, too. Messi won the seventh Ballon d'Or on Monday, but said Lewandowski, the runner-up, should have won last year. That's where Lewandowski stands apart. The last defender to win was Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro in 2006 after lifting the World Cup. The 2023 Ballon d'Or ceremony will take place next autumn. There is no doubt, however, that playing a starring role in Qatar has boosted some players' chances of competing for the Golden Ball ahead of the return of the Champions League in the past weeks. var months = new Array ("January","February","March","April","May","June","July", Johan Cruyff won three. But what did footballs top prize look like before Messi and Ronaldo took over? Robert Lewandowski has clarified comments made in an interview with a Polish broadcaster which were widely reported to be critical of Lionel Messi 's speech at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.. Robert Lewandowski insists the 2023 Ballon d'Or is clear already - Leo Messi is going to take it for the 8th time in his career.The latest odds share the same opinion, putting the Argentine on top of the rankings. So despite a relatively poor start to life at PSG by his high standards, Messi has a record seventh Ballon dOr crown. The 33-year-old has struck 11 times across his last 12 internationals, scoring three in the UEFA Euro 2020 groups and eight in 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Date of birth/Age: Aug 21, 1988 (34) Place of birth: Warszawa Citizenship: Poland Height: 1,85 m Position: Centre-Forward Current international: Poland Caps/Goals: 138 / 78 45.00 m Last update: Nov 7, 2022 Profile Stats Market value Transfers Rumours National team News Achievements Career Stats of Robert Lewandowski 27 - Ronaldo (6th)#BallondOr ranking in brackets. 16. Lewandowski turned 32 in August, and insists that he wants to stay at Bayern until hes 40. Who knows how many he will have scored by then? 1997-2023 Topend Sports Network No leeway at the top, but Bayern Munich keep winning. Lewandowski would be the fourth Bayern player to pick up the Ballon dOr after the late Mller, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Barcelonas Robert Lewandowski gives instructions during the Champions League group C soccer match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. No Ballon d'Or. Odds & lines subject to change. PSG exited the Champions League at the last-16 stage to Real Madrid, lost in the French Super Cup to Lille and were beaten by Nice in the French Coupe de France. Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times in his illustrious career. Poland's record goalscorer has continued that ruthless streak in front of goal in 2021 but it still wasn't enough as Lionel Messi secured his seventh Ballon d'Or on Monday night. Gavi wins 2022 Kopa Trophy award. Is Robert Lewandowski the best player in the world? The 2020 edition of the Ballon d'Or was controversially cancelled by France Football, who cited the COVID-19 pandemic as their reason for doing so. Lewandowski scored 16 goals more than any other player in Europe's top five leagues across all competitions in 2019-20, as he was top scorer in the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. How @Lewy_Official shaped up against the rest of Europe week by week in 2020/21. He is one of the most complete strikers around, if not the It was a season which lasted so long that he started it as a 30-year-old and was 32 by the time it finished. Since then, nine of the 13 winners (well, four names - Kaka, Ronaldo, Messi and Modric) have won the Champions League that season. Luckily, Immobiles improbable feat didnt repeat itself, and wouldnt have mattered if it did. Kylian Mbappe (Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain), 2. 18. The award, widely considered to be the most prestigious individual honour in football, has been the property of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi since the pair of all-time greats took over in 2008, aside from one year. Not bad for a player rejected by Legia Warsaw as a teenager! Cristiano Ronaldo's former teammate believes that . Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) 9. Right now, he is simply untouchable as the most devastating attacker on the planet, and more determined than ever to be recognised as such. Web With the 2022 FIFA World Cup now behind us the race for the 2023 Ballon dOr is well and truly on. According to them, Robert Lewandowski deserved this award after last year's cancellation. His importance to Mauricio Pochettinos side cannot be underestimated with 17 goals and 13 assists across 27 appearances in all competitions, but may be hampered by PSGs continued underachievement in Europe. Lewandowski's chances of winning would have been enhanced by the fact he's a striker - winners are usually forwards or creative midfielders and, more often than not, win the Champions League. Most goals scored in Europe's top five leagues + UCL + UEL in 2021: The elite pressing unit that Flick has introduced at the Allianz Arena simply wouldnt be possible without the work that Lewandowski puts in up front. In the last year hes strengthened his position as Polands all-time top goalscorer even further. It should be about a body of workand not a heart-tugging story. As well as his record-breaking efforts last season, the Bayern No.9 has struck 25 times in 20 competitive matches so far in 2021/22. 5. Lewandowski's season ended with a clean sweep of major trophies and on a run of 21 consecutive wins, with 55 goals and nine assists in 46 games. The 21-year-old just brought up his 50th goal in as many Bundesliga appearances - expect to see him on the podium in the not too distant future. The most recent winner was Real Madrid's Karim Benzemais in 2022. But his love of scoring goals proved too strong. Robert Lewandowski was among the front-runners for the 2021 edition but Paris Saint-German superstar and six-time winner Messi added a seventh triumph. Please enter a valid email and try again. Bayern captain Manuel Neuer came fifth overall in the goalkeeping category, with the PSG custodian taking the top prize in part for his role in helping Italy win EURO 2020 over the summer. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain), 4. . This service is provided on talkSPORT Ltd's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Ballon d'Or. Messi vs Lewandowski Ballon d'or 2021 voting breakdown Map from soccer. Wayne Rooney (Everton and Manchester United), 10. Angel di Maria (Real Madrid and Manchester United), 3. Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or Award a record 7 times in his career. Ronaldo (17 in 2013-14 and 16 in 2015-16) is the only man to score more goals in a Champions League season. Lewandowski won it, and it felt like an early consolation prize a short time before Messi was announced as the men's Ballon d'Or winner. #Bundesliga pic.twitter.com/gMhMYPrx3U. Xavi - Messi Ballon d'Or win is 'football justice', BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool at American Express Community Stadium on March 12, 2022 in Brighton, United King. He said, "I want to tell Robert you deserve your Ballon d'Or. Messi sure seems to believe that the 2021 Copa America, his first international title with Argentina's senior team, was a major factor in his winning the Ballon d'Or: "This award isfor what we did at the Copa America," Messi said in his acceptance speech. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Objective observersmight very well put Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Mohamed Salah, Karim Benzema, and perhaps even Erling Haaland ahead of the Polish forward. var md = new Date(document.lastModified) Lewandowskis coach, Hansi Flick, acknowledges that he is lucky enough to have the best striker in the world at his disposal. Since the turn of the year, the Polish striker has. Judged by a panel of journalists, the Ballon dOr ran in conjunction with FIFA from 2010 until 2015, when the governing body split to create its own and much less prestigious Best Player award. The Best FIFA Awards: Who voted for who? Spare a thought for Robert Lewandowski pic.twitter.com/yeYIVJ3VU9, Lewandowski was the #BallonDor winner and it shouldnt have been close but here we are. As the processstands, the media members were asked to vote based on (1) individual and team performance in 2021, (2) the player's talent and sportsmanship, and (3) the players overall career. Hes been so incredibly consistent over the last three years like nobody else, said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann of his main man in attack. Its also interesting to see who made it into voters lists of the top ten footballers in the world from every year since the turn of the millennium, including this one. Lewandowski Ballon d'Or winner odds For: Better than all the rest Nobody can match Lewandowski's output in 2021, and it's not even close. 2023 Eurosport, a Warner Bros. Bayern's Jamal Musiala was third, with Dortmund's Jude Bellingham runner-up behind Pedri of Barcelona and Spain. The 33-year-old is on course to win a 10th Bundesliga title this season with Bayern nine points clear of Borussia Dortmund on the top of the table. In the last two years Messi has made the podium as Robert Lewandowski has won the title, but the 35-year-old's career-crowning World Cup triumph was the defining moment of 2022. Gio Reyna (Dortmund) and Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen) came in ninth and seventh respectively. The 2022 Ballon dor will be presented in October, with the prestigious award now being given to the best player over a season rather than a calendar year. 'Political award' - Ibrahimovic says Ballon d'Or snub due to Mr Perfect criteria, Ballon dOr overhauled in major shake up to award. The ceremony for the Fifa Best Awards - which are slightly less prestigious - was also cancelled, although, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says. His work off the ball is important for the team.. FINAL RESULTS: How the Ballon d'Or votes fell. Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has finally won one of the few individual trophies that has eluded him so far the European Golden Boot (also called shoe, but "boot" sounds cooler), which is awarded to the highest domestic scorer in Europe for the season. Here is the Ballon d'Or points breakdown in full. Andrey Arshavin (Zenit Saint Petersburg), 2. Lewandowski deserves the Ballon dOr. The Pole made history as Bayern Munich won the Treble, and he won the Golden Boot in all three competitions, with a remarkable 55 goals in 47 games. For more information, visit ow.ly/hElK50LwENy. With all due respect to Messi and the other great players named, none deserved it as much as Lewandowski. Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award.. ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI will go down as one of the greatest players this generation. He can head the ball, finish and hold it up. Other Bundesliga players to have won it are Allan Simonsen (Borussia Mnchengladbach) and Kevin Keegan (Hamburg). Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan), 8. 33 - Benzema (4th) document.write("Page last modified: "+ md.getDate()+" " + months[md.getMonth()] Not bad for a player rejected by Legia Warsaw as a teenager. This years World Cup in Qatar will take place after the presentation of this years award, and the players exploits in that tournament will be judged for the following year. Club career Early career "When I was six, I remember Roberto Baggio at the 1994 World Cup. Lewandowski deserved it. Only Ronaldo (11 games between June 2017 and April 2018) has ever scored in more consecutive European Cup games. 29 - Messi (1st) I won the Striker of the Year Award and no player can win an individual award without a strong team and loyal fans behind them. In 2020, though, there was no doubt about who would win, with Lewandowski vastly out-performing both with unrivalled goal-scoring and a treble win with Bayern Munich. 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