Bayern Munich striker, Robert Lewandowski has been the prime candidate to lift the 2020 Ballon d’Or after a super-human season with the Bavarians.
The Polish had scored 55 goals in the recently concluded season that sees Bayern winning the German Bundesliga, German DFB Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. The last time the Bavarians recorded a treble was in 2013.
The goal machine believes that his mark in the recently concluded season would have been worthy of breaking the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly on the Ballon d’Or. Unfortunately, the 2020 award has been canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Lewandowski claimed all the highest goalscorers award in the 2019/20 season. He finished as top scorer in the Bundesliga (34), DFB Cup (six) and UEFA Champions League (15).
However, Messi and Ronaldo, who shared 11 of the last 12 Ballon d’Or prizes – scored 31 and 37 times respectively in the season under review.
‘It would have been me’- Lewandoski
The word “me”: was the response the 32-year-old gave when asked who would have been the clear favourite to be named the world’s best player.
The organizers France Football had confirmed in July that the trophy would not be awarded due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
While admiting that he “didn’t think about the decision”, Lewandowski said is in no doubt who would have been most worthy of world football’s top individual gong.
“Me. We won everything we could with Bayern. In every competition – Bundesliga, German Cup, and Champions League – I was the top scorer. I think a player who achieves this would win the Ballon d’Or,” he said when asked by Polish outlet, Sportowe Fakty, which player deserved the 2020 Ballon d’Or.
Lewandowski also said winning the Champions League is one of his childhood dreams.
“Until now, I was hiding emotions behind a thick shell, but the Champions League is every footballer’s dream and I’ve believed all my life that I could fulfil it.”
The Polish had finished as a runner-up with Borussia Dortmund in 2012/13. He was also involved in three semi-finals with Bayern.
“I was close many times, but something was missing, something was causing us to be knocked out early. Now that we’d won it, there was a childlike joy, something natural and spontaneous. I had no control over it.
“The most beautiful moment after the game was when I called my wife. She sent me videos of my loved ones crying with happiness. It was amazing. It’s what I will remember the most in the future.”
15 of Bayern’s 43 Champions League goals came from the Polish captain from 30 attempts on target with six assists.
This is no doubt his best-ever Bundesliga season where he registered 34 goals, and four assists – to win his fifth Torjägerkanone.
He is the first player ever to win a continental treble while also being the top scorer in each competition after scoring six goals in the DFB Cup as well.
