Robert Lewandowski named The Best FIFA Men’s Player at 2022 ceremony

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Robert Lewandowski has been named as the The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2021 at the annual The Best FIFA Football Awards in Switzerland as voted for by media representatives, national team coaches, and national team captains.

The 2022 ceremony went ahead at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland on Monday evening, with Lewandowski going in as the favourite having won the award in 2021.

The full shortlist included Karim Benzema, Kevin de Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mohamed Salah and the Poland international.

Lewandowski said on the night: "Thank you very much. I am very honoured to win this trophy and feel proud.

"I know it belongs to my team-mates and coaches. We all work hard to win the games. It is special to work with these guys around me.

"I never dream about breaking this record [of Gerd Muller's]. To score 41 in 29 games – if you ask me that a few years ago if it is possible I would tell you it is impossible. I also say to him thank-you.

"He set so many records and to me it was always the next step to try and break it."

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The victory comes a year after Lewandowski won the award, having been heartbroken to miss out on potential Ballon d'Or glory as their 2020 ceremony was scrapped entirely.

Messi, who won the 2021 Ballon d'Or, used his speech to tell the Bayern Munich striker that he deserved to win the trophy the previous season by saying: "I think France Football should award you your 2020 Ballon d’Or – you deserve it and you should have it at home."

Lewandowski had told Kanal Sportowy of his disappointment: "I felt sadness. I can't deny it.

"I can't say I was happy, on the contrary. I have a feeling of sadness.

"To be so close, to compete with Messi, of course I respect how he plays and what he has achieved. The mere fact that I was able to compete with him shows me the level that I was able to reach."

Lewandowski was also named in the World11 with Gianluigi Donnarumma; David Alaba, Ruben Dias, Leonardo Bonucci; Jorginho, N'Golo Kante, Kevin De Bruyne; Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi.

• FIFA
• Bayern Munich FC

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