world footballer
Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski was named FIFA World Player of the Year for the second time in a row on Monday. In the voting of selected players, national coaches, journalists and fans, the Pole prevailed against the six-time winner Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) and Mohammed Salah (Liverpool). David Alaba was selected for the first time in the FIFA world selection.
Last season, Lewandowski improved Bayern legend Gerd Müller’s record for goals in one season (1971/92) from 40 to 41 goals. The 33-year-old scores again regularly in the current season. “Everything that happened last year, the Bundesliga record, I would never have dared to dream of it. If you had told me that a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it,” said the goalscorer.
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel was honored as world coach after the triumph of the “Blues” in the Champions League. The 48-year-old got the better of Italy’s European champions coach Roberto Mancini and Man City’s Josep Guardiola. The Spaniard Alexia Putellas from FC Barcelona, who had already been voted Europe’s best player, was honored as the best player in the world. Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy received the world goalkeeper award.
Premiere for ÖFB captain Alaba
Lewandowski was in FIFA’s “World XI”, as was Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who was honored as the top national team goalscorer at the end of the gala. After being nominated several times in recent years, Alaba made it into the selection for the first time, which, according to the Fifpro players’ union, was voted for by almost 19,000 professionals. Also in the world selection are goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan/PSG), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Ruben Dias (ManCity), Kevin de Bruyne (ManCity), Jorginho (Chelsea), N’golo Kante (Chelsea) and Erling Haaland (Dortmund). ).
It got emotional during the gala when the fair play award was presented. The players and the medical staff of the Danish national team were awarded after the drama about star player Christian Eriksen. The 29-year-old collapsed on the lawn on June 12, 2021 during the European Championship group match between Denmark and Finland in Copenhagen and had to be revived. Meanwhile, the visibly shocked Denmark internationals formed a protective circle around their team-mate. The FIFA Fan Award went to the Danish and Finnish fans.
FIFA election winners
- world footballer: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern)
- World Player: Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona)
- World Coach: Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea)
- world coach: Emma Hayes (Chelsea)
- World Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
- World Goalkeeper: Christiane Endler (Olympic Lyon)
- FIFA world selection men: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan/PSG) – David Alaba (Bayern/Real Madrid), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Ruben Dias (ManCity) – Kevin de Bruyne (ManCity), Jorginho (Chelsea), N’golo Kanté (Chelsea) – Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus/ManUnited), Erling Haaland (Dortmund), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern), Lionel Messi (Barcelona/PSG)
- FIFA World Selection Women: Christiane Endler (PSG/Lyon) – Lucy Bronze (ManCity), Millie Bright (Chelsea), Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea), Wendie Renard (Lyon) – Estefania Banini (Levante/Atletico), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Carli Lloyd (NJ /NY Gotham) – Marta (Orlando), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Alex Morgan (Tottenham/Orlando Pride/San Diego Wave)
- Puskas Award: Erik Lamela (FC Sevilla)
- FIFA Fan Award: Fans of the national teams of Denmark and Finland
- FIFA Fair Play Award: Denmark’s national team plus medical and support staff
- FIFA-Special Award: Christine Sinclair (CAN)
