Ballon d’Or: Robert Lewandowski Still Believes He Can Win Award 4 Years From COVID Cancellation

• Robert Lewandowski harbours hopes of winning the 2020 Ballon d'Or belatedly
• The Barcelona forward agonizingly missed out on the top gong due to Covid-19
• In that season, Lewandowski's goals helped Bayern Munich to win the treble

Robert Lewandowski is adamant that he deserved to claim the Ballon d'Or in 2020 and would be willing to accept the award even if it came belatedly.

While his stint in Barcelona has been a blend of ups and downs, Lewandowski established himself as one of the premier strikers in world football during his time at Bayern Munich and came agonizingly close to securing top individual honours.

How Covid pandemic robbed Lewandowski of Ballon d'Or

The cancellation of the 2020 Ballon d'Or ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant disappointment for the Polish hitman.

Piers Morgan: Top Arsenal fan faults club's lack of Cristiano Ronaldo as reason for Aston Villa loss

Football

He had been in sensational form between 2020 and 2021 but missed out on the coveted individual accolade.

During the 2019–2020 season, Lewa was in prolific scoring form, netting 55 goals in 47 games across all competitions, per Transfermarkt, and playing a pivotal role in Bayern Munich's treble-winning campaign.

However, the pandemic-induced cancellation of the awards left him without the recognition he felt he deserved.

A year later, Lionel Messi clinched his seventh Ballon d'Or, prompting widespread frustration and debate over the 35-year-old's absence from the list of winners.

Lewandowski not giving up on winning Ballon d'Or

Despite the passage of time, the Polish goal maestro remains hopeful that his contributions from four years ago will be acknowledged, even suggesting the possibility of a retrospective award.

“Of course, I’d like to receive the Ballon d’Or one day. It’s my feeling it would have been my turn in either 2020 or 2021,” as per an interview with Bild.

Xabi Alonso: How Jose Mourinho Correctly Predicted the Future of Leverkusen Manager

Football

While netting goals left, right, and centre, he played a pivotal role in Bayern's triumphs in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League.

He emphasised that he wouldn't take offence at receiving recognition for his achievements, even if it comes later than expected.

“There are rumours of a retrospective award for 2020. That was an extraordinary year for me; it was my highest level, and we won everything.

“If I received the 2020 Ballon d’Or four years later, I wouldn’t feel offended. It would be a great honour to accept the award.”

Lewandowski risks controversy with best player picks

Meanwhile, Sports Brief also reported that Lewandowski's pick for the world's best player might stir up some controversy at FC Barcelona.

Surprisingly, the 35-year-old singled out two players who recently thwarted Barcelona's ambitions.

He mentioned Bellingham, whose crucial goal secured Real Madrid's win in El Clasico, and Mbappe, who scored twice in PSG's Champions League quarter-final triumph over Barcelona.