FC Barcelona’s new signing Robert Lewandowski has again set his sights on the Ballon d’Or award after the Poland striker lost it to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi last year.
The 34-year-old Polish striker will be among the contenders for the 2022 Ballon d’Or award again this year as he has been nominated among the 30 finalists.
This time, Robert Lewandowski has affirmed that his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or have heightened as his move to the Spanish club has given him a “boost”.
“My move to Barcelona gave me a boost, it boosted my self-esteem”, Lewandowski said. “I knew that I had to be a difference-maker in terms of results and I’m not afraid of this role. I feel very proud of myself.”
The Poland international star player completed a €50 million transfer from the Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich to Camp Nou this summer.
Note that winning the Ballon d’Or prize was not the sole reason Lewandowski made an exit from Bayern Munich to Barcelona, but it indeed would have been one of the more desirable reasons he made the switch.
In the history of Ballon d’Or victors, no club has had more Ballon d’Or winners than Barcelona with 12 awardees and Robert Lewandowski will be aspiring to add his name to the list before his contract with the Catalans expires as he insisted that the path to claiming the prize is shorter in Barcelona than Bayern.
Lewandowski said: “I know that Barcelona is a team where the most players have won it.
“I think the path is shorter from Barcelona than from Bayern [Munich].
“It’s like having new toys and playing with them, from my first days in Barcelona I felt I was in the right place at the right time. I feel very comfortable, not only because of the club but also because of the atmosphere.”
Lewandowski revealed he’s been receiving nice treats from the club’s realms, staff, his teammates, and Barcelona supporters since his arrival in the club.
He added: “My team-mates, staff… everyone treats me well. Everything makes me feel very privileged. To always have the opportunity to be at clubs like this is an added value not only for the coming months and years but for the rest of my life.”
Scoring 11 goals in all competitions in just eight matches played for Barcelona this season, Lewandowski has already established himself as one of the valuable players of the Catalan coach Xavi, at Camp Nou.
Robert Lewandowski will next be seen in action with his national team as Poland will take on the Netherlands on September 23 and Wales on September 26 in the Nations League.
However, it remains to be seen whether or not Lewandowski can win the Ballon d’Or award ahead of UEFA Champions League winner Karim Benzema, who is being rated above other contenders as the favorite to win the prize this year.
With the seven-time winner, Lionel Messi, and the Brazilian superstar Neymar excluded from the contenders’ list, the chances of Real Madrid’s star Karim Benzema, claiming the award this year are very high, given his exploits with his club in winning La Liga and the UEFA Champions League last season.
The announcement ceremony of the Ballon d’Or winners will be held on October 17, 2022.
