Robert Lewandowski Defends Lionel Messi Before Taking U-Turn on 2020 Ballon d’Or Feelings

Published 04/29/2024, 6:30 AM EDT

2020 remains a bittersweet year for Robert Lewandowski. Despite winning the domestic treble and firing over 55 goals for Bayern Munich, fate denied his chance to lift the Ballon d’Or due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While expectations were ramped up for the subsequent year, Lionel Messi lifted the 2021 award, leaving the Polish international empty-handed. Even though criticism still remains surrounding La Pulga for winning his seventh award, Lewandowski has come in support of the Argentinian star, saying, “The one from 2021 belongs to Lionel Messi.”

“Of course, I would have liked to receive the Ballon d’Or award one day,” opens up the former Dortmund striker to German outlet Sport BILD, who missed out on the award twice during the peak of his career. Although the missing trophy doesn’t him ‘angry or sad,’ the 35-year-old thought it would have been his turn in either of the best two years between 2020 and 2021. In fact, the hope for the belated award is somewhere alive within him today, at least for the canceled one due to the pandemic.

“I noticed that there are rumors about a subsequent award for 2020,” said Lewandowski, while acknowledging his remarkable performance that year. “Let’s put it this way: If I were to receive the 2020 Ballon d’Or four years later, I certainly wouldn’t act offended – it would be a great honour,” added the Barcelona star. This is year is almost impossible for Lewandowski to even get nominated, considering that he will be ending his domestic season trophyless.

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Nevertheless, it’s quite interesting that he still has faith in getting his hands on the award someday. In fact, the surprise remains on the fact how he took a U-turn on his previous stance after losing the award.

Robert Lewandowski was not ‘enthusiastic’ about the Ballon d’Or, despite receiving backing from Lionel Messi

Robert Lewandowski now asking for a Ballon d’Or now is quite ironic after you hear about his response to Lionel Messi. Earlier, during his winning speech, La Pulga vocally acknowledged that the center forward deserves to have the 2020 award at his home. Despite Lewandowski’s admission of feeling sadness, the snub left him bitter, forcing the Polish star to say, “I’m not that enthusiastic about getting the 2020 award.”

Interestingly, his stoic response didn’t leave a good impression on Messi, who was rather angry with the ex-Bayern star. But that remains a different tale. For now, the debate remains as to what changed Lewandowski’s mind to vocally express his desire to get his hands on the belated trophy. Perhaps he is still not over the fact that he missed out on winning the coveted award. But can he get it now? That remains a million-dollar question.

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Written by:

Abhishek Mishra is a senior Soccer Writer at EssentiallySports. His early exposure to playing soccer earned him many accolades at college divisions, making him a sports enthusiast. While closely following daily updates for over a decade, Abhishek is well-versed in European soccer and now the MLS, as well.

Edited by:

Sreeda U M

Robert Lewandowski Defends Lionel Messi Before Taking U-Turn on 2020 Ballon d’Or Feelings

Robert Lewandowski was not ‘enthusiastic’ about the Ballon d’Or, despite receiving backing from Lionel Messi

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