FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski admitted that he was still haunted by his disappointment at the Ballon d'Or against Bayern Munich. The Polish international was a favorite for the 2020 price before its cancellation due to the COVVI-19 pandemic, then finished second behind Lionel Messi during the vote the following year.
Lewandowski claims that his peak has been neglected
Lewandowski seemed guaranteed to win the 2020 Golden Ball after an extraordinary season with Bayern Munich. Its exceptional finish had allowed the German giant to achieve a national and European hat -trick, and it occupied the summit of world football. But, a reversal of the situation that is still gnawing at it today, the price was completely canceled that year due to the Cavid-19 pandemic. A decision that deprived Lewandowski of his best chance of football immortality, and which he has not forgotten.
Lewandowski returns to his setbacks for the Ballon d'Or
Determined to prove himself again, Lewandowski returned to 2021 with an even more breathtaking individual campaign. The striker sprayed the record of Gerd Müller in the Bundesliga with 41 goals in a single season, offering Bayern a ninth consecutive title.
However, during the counting of the votes for the Ballon d'Or, it was Messi who won the Ballon d'Or. The Argentinian had also achieved an exceptional year, scoring 38 goals and delivering 14 assists, and leading Barcelona to the glory in the King's Cup. Point crucial, he had also been the spearhead of the triumph of Argentina in Copa America, his first major title for almost three decades.
Messi took advantage of his victory speech to congratulate Lewandowski, declaring to the public that he “deserved” this honor in 2020. But for the Polish striker, this feeling hardly appeased pain.
“I was at the best time in my career, I won everything with my club “He said in a new interview with the BBC. “” I think the most difficult in this case is that so far, I don't know why. »»
Asked about the next winner of the coveted Ballon d'Or, Lewandowski turned to his FC Barcelona teammates.
“The Lamine Yamal season was incredible, but in the end, it all depends on what matters most. He still has a lot of time in front of him, if it is not this year, perhaps next year, “he said. “Raphinha has also made an incredible season. We have players who can be among the favorites to win this kind of title. ”
The Ballon d'Or 2025 ceremony will take place on September 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris.
