Titel defender Robert Lewandowski is once again one of the three candidates for the FIFA election of the world footballer and can hope for the greatest possible compensation after the disappointment at the Ballon d’Or. Bayern Munich’s top striker will compete with world star Lionel Messi from Paris St. Germain and Liverpool’s exceptional Egyptian player Mohamed Salah for the award on January 17th at the headquarters of the world association.
“Robert has a really, really great chance of winning. What he has achieved is absolutely outstanding, ”said Rio World Champion Sami Khedira, who announced the three finalists in a video slot for FIFA. At the Golden Ball at the end of November, Messi had outdone the Munich goal guarantor.
In the election of the world association last year, however, Lewandowski prevailed ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. As in the past, an international jury will choose the winner. The coaches of all national teams, their captains, a journalist from each country and the fans are entitled to vote. Before Lewandowski, the prize went to Messi (2019), Ronaldo (2016 and 2017) and Luka Modric (2018).
The basis for the award are the “individual achievements” from October 8, 2020 to August 7, 2021 – “regardless of titles”. During this period, Lewandowski beat the “eternal” Bundesliga season record set by the legendary “Bomber” Gerd Müller from the 1971/72 season with 41 goals. Also in the calendar year 2021 he was one goal better than Müller 49 years earlier – but this record is not fully included in the rating.
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For Bayern, their “Lewa” is above all. President Herbert Hainer sees in him “an absolute goal guarantee” and the “world’s best striker. I would be happy if he would end his career with us, ”he said. Like Hainer, CEO Oliver Kahn rejects a transfer of Sturmjuwel Erling Haaland from Dortmund to Munich. “We have Robert Lewandowski,” he said, “he will still score 30 or 40 goals for a few more years.”
“A sadness deep inside”
When Lewandowski drew the short straw against Messi in the award of the Ballon d’Or by the specialist newspaper France Football, the dismay was great. “Deep down I felt a sadness that didn’t last a day or two, but rather longer,” said Lewandowski himself. As suggested by winner Messi, he is hoping for a retrospective honor for 2020 when the award was canceled because of Corona.
In the women’s category, the two Spaniards Jennifer Hermoso and Alexia Putellas from Champions League winners FC Barcelona and Australian Sam Kerr (Chelsea FC) are in the final selection. Last year, the English national player Lucy Bronze cleared the trophy.
Lewandowski has been showered with honors in the past few months. Among other things, Poland’s President Andrzej Duda hung the Commander’s Cross of the Polonia Restituta Order on the “people’s hero”, one of the highest civil awards.
In addition to Lewandowski, some Germans are also hoping for the highest FIFA consecrations. Bayern captain Manuel Neuer is nominated for the title of world goalkeeper, national player Ann-Katrin Berger can hope for the award as best goalkeeper. Thomas Tuchel from Champions League winner Chelsea could become world coach.
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