Robert Lewandowski has intimated that he believes he is the best player in the world after being snubbed for the Ballon d'Or for a second-consecutive year.
Lewandowski has enjoyed another stunning 12 months for Bayern Munich and Poland - plundering 69 goals in total for club and country.
But despite the wonderful feat, which saw him win the Bundesliga and German Cup in 2021, the striker was overlooked for the coveted gong - which was controversially won by Lionel Messi for record-breaking seventh time.
During his illustrious career, Lewandowski has now seen Messi (seven times) and Cristiano Ronaldo (five times) be named the best footballer in the world.
But when asked who is better, Lewandowski was bullish in his assessment.
'I choose Lewandowski,' he said in an interview at the Expo Dubai.
When elaborating further on his views about this year's Ballon d'Or, the 33-year-old highlighted his own achievements in 2021.
'I've had so many questions about the Ballon d'Or,' he admitted. 'Last year they cancelled it, I couldn't go, I won everything I could win.
'This year I scored 69 goals in one season so you know…
'I did everything that I could do, because in the Champions League against PSG I was injured, I couldn't play.
'But with my performance, with myself, if I stand in front of the mirror I can say to myself "you did everything that you can, you scored 69 goals, you won the German league and you can be proud of yourself".
'I respect other players because they are great players but I know that for me it's important to be myself and think always positively.'
