Jurgen Klopp admits it is hard to agree with the decision to overlook Robert Lewandowski for the Ballon d'Or this year.
Klopp managed the Poland international while at Borussia Dortmund, before losing him on a free transfer to rivals Bayern Munich.
One of Klopp's key performers during their Bundesliga winning season in 2011 and 2012, and he has continued to kick on year-on-year in Bavaria.
Much to the dismay of most in football, Lionel Messi was voted best in the world by football journalists to secure his seventh title, while Lewandowski was handed the newly formed 'Striker of the Year' award.
Liverpool had their own horses in the race, with Mohamed Salah finishing seventh in the rankings. And even that result didn't sit well with the Reds boss.
'Do not ask me, it’s your fault then!' Klopp joked when initially asked about the results by one reporter. 'If you think he should be higher up then you should convince your colleagues.
'You can always give it to Lionel Messi for the career he has had and the footballer he is but if you don’t give it Lewandowski this time then it’s quite tricky to get it at all.
'Yes, Mo should definitely have been higher up.'
Even in his acceptance speech, Messi was at pains to praise his rival for the award, insisting that the Poland international should be retrospectively awarded the cancelled 2020 trophy.
'Robert, you deserve your Ballon d'Or," the Paris Saint-Germain forward said.
'Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award.'
mexicodegreat
217
Ballon D or is a scam . Lewandowski deserve it more better..
XxKingCR7xX
142
Even Messi doesn't know how he took this one
Tinbeiktu
118
its now Robbery D'or......messi dont deserve a dime of it
juhcikmoy
113
Robert Lewandovski scored the most goals and won 3 collective trophies, Jorginho won the most trophies and the biggest ones in Europe, UCL and EURO. Benzema played the most enjoyable football during the year, won Uefa Nations League, reached UCL semis and contributed in 50 goals. But somehow, Messi won the Ballon d'Or. Nowdays, a Copa America wins you the prize. A Copa America held four times in six years seems to be more important than UCL, EUROs. Playing against Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Venezuela seems to be more difficult than playing against Bayern, Real, City, PSG, Atletico, Chelsea or against Italy, Spain, Germany, France, Belgium, etc. The worst part was inventing a prize such as "Best striker of the year" as a consolation for Lewandovski, after scoring 111 goals and winning like 7-8 trophies in the last two years, including UCL, CWC, Uefa Super Cup, Bundesliga, etc. All that, just to give the Ballon d'Or to Mr. Bolivia. Things like this make you love the beautiful game less.
AK-47-Lara-Croft
77
Lewy got robbed, this award just lost its value after yesterday
AK-47-Lara-Croft
77
Yeah, Messi won the award for scoring one goal in Ligue 1 this season 😂😂😂
Desmondeyum
27
Messi didn’t win it in 2018 but have better goal involvement than the top four players that year
Kuccdory
14
Ballon D or is a scam . Lewandowski deserve it more better..
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your English deserves a dictionary bro 😄 🤣
fekbstyz
11
U can cry as much as U want but Ballon Dor is a scam. And Lewa or Jorginho deserves it more than Messi..And "The Best" is a proper competition... Thats the reality... Believe it or not . And what U believe doesn't change the reality...
😂😂😂😂yeah STATS are Also fake to you i guess