France Football present Robert Lewandowski with the Striker of the Year award
Robert Lewandowski wins Striker of the Year at Ballon d’Or 2021 award ceremony after prolific year with Bayern Munich
The Polish striker won the inaugural trophy at the award ceremony in Paris.
Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski has received the first Striker of the Year award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
The new award was announced just before the shortlist ranking started to be revealed, with Club of the Year also set to be handed out for the first time.
Lewandowski’s free-scoring consistency made him a favourite to win the 2020 Ballon d’Or which was ultimately cancelled, and he was similarly among the contenders to win this year’s award.
Other forwards including Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi were still in the running for the main Ballon d’Or prize at the time Lewandowski was crowned top striker - though as a surprise inclusion at the ceremony, little is known over the criteria for selection.
Lewandowski's figures
The Polish striker netted a whopping 64 goals last season, which means that he scored 18 more than second-top scorer Kylian Mbappe and 22 more than third-top scorer Messi.
Lewandowski was also awarded the 2021 Golden Boot after scoring as many as 41 times in the Bundesliga last season.
"I am very proud to be here," said Lewandowski at the Ballon d'Or ceremony.
"I am very proud of this trophy. I have to thank my teammates, coach and staff [for] the synergy between striker and team."
Desmondeyum
467
This Striker of the year award seems disrespectful to Lewandowski. He deserved the 2020 Ballon d’Or, not a cardboard plate.
Nandha77
356
Well Deserved 💯 🇵🇱..
ManUtdAmadDialo
236
Why is it that a majority of Man Utd nd Real Madrid fans ar the ones saying Lewy deserves a ballon d'or??[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
Matez-T
191
😂😂😂 hmmmm The ballon do’r this year is like Elections in Africa 😂😂
Mosanya
175
Lewandowski really scored 63 goals in a year only to receive a piece of cardboard😭😭
Futb0l_Fan
112
I hope he takes what he deserves😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌😌
Mosanya
92
Bro I’m actually dead Lewandowski got a wooden Plate so he doesn’t get upset
Jieadekmp
12
The say the award is for 2020 to 2021. What did Messi play last year and this year? What is he playing since he joined PSG? Are they saying that assuming that African Cup of Nations were played this year and Salah won it with Egypt, they would have given it to Salah, taking consideration that Salah played very well with Liverpool? We know that they could not have given it to him. What is Copa America? How many countries are involved? Messi played nothing in La Liga, Champions League with Barcelona and is still playing nothing with PSG. Now you gave him best year of the year 2020 to 2021. What an arrant nonsense!!!