Robert Lewandowski on Monday retained The Best FIFA Men’s Player crown as the Bayern Munich strikes was adjudged the best at the annual FIFA Awards.
The Bayern Munich forward’s second triumph at The Best Awards drew him level with Cristiano Ronaldo, who was considered for the Special Award this year.
“It means a lot to win it for a second consecutive year,” said the 33-year-old star striker.
Bayern Muninch’s Polish striker Robert Lewandowski was crowned as The Best FIFA Men’s Player for 2021 on Monday 17 January 2022 at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.
It is a great honor and pleasure to receive the title of FIFA The Best Men’s Player 🏆
Thank you for your votes and your support 🙏#TheBest @FIFAWorldCup @FIFAcom pic.twitter.com/GdLwawCNK8
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) January 17, 2022
In doing so, ‘Lewy’ retained his title from 2020 as the world’s best player. In the six-year history of The Best FIFA Football Awards, only Portuguese attacker Cristiano Ronaldo has previously won the prize in consecutive years, having done so in 2016 and 2017.
The Best FIFA Men’s Player winners at a glance
🏆 2016 – Cristiano Ronaldo 🏆 2017 – Cristiano Ronaldo 🏆 2018 – Luka Modric 🏆 2019 – Lionel Messi 🏆 2020 – Robert Lewandowski 🏆 2021 – Robert Lewandowski.
Immediately after the ceremony, Lewandowski took time to chat to FIFA.com about his latest accolade.
Responding to a FIFA.com question what was more emotional – to win the award for the first time last year, or to defend it this year? Robert Lewandowski said, “That’s difficult to answer. Both occasions were unbelievably good. The first time will always be the first time, but to win it for a second consecutive year means a lot to me. I think my performances in the last couple of years have developed in the right direction.
“I’m always delighted to win individual accolades because they’re also awards for my team. Anything I win, the team also wins, and that makes me very proud. So I’d like to thank all my team-mates because they make the difference. I’d also like to thank everybody who voted for me and the fans around the world. Everything we do is for the fans and so I also dedicate this prize to them.”
🚨🏆 #TheBest FIFA Men’s Player Award 2021 goes to #RobertLewandowski!
🌎🇵🇱 Fans, players, coaches and journalists have spoken, naming @lewy_official as #TheBest! pic.twitter.com/21hfIDR3rI
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) January 17, 2022
In his tally of the best of the best for the year, Lewandowski scored five hat-tricks in 2021. He ended on the score sheet on 19 consecutive games for Bayern Munich, a first in the history of the club.
The Best FIFA Awards 2021 round up:
Men’s player of the year: Robert Lewandowski
Women’s player of the year: Alexia Putellas
Men’s coach: Thomas Tuchel
Women’s coach: Emma Hayes
Men’s goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy
Women’s goalkeeper: Christiane Endler
The women’s world XI: Christiane Endler (GK); Lucy Bronze, Wendy Renard, Millie Bright, Magdalena Eriksson; Estefania Banini, Carli Lloyd, Barbara Bonansea; Vivianne Miedema, Marta, Alex Morgan
The men’s world XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK); David Alaba, Ruben Dias, Leonardo Bonucci; Jorginho, N’Golo Konte, Kevin de Bruyne; Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi
Best fans: Denmark and Finland fans
Fair Play: Denmark’s medical team and players
Puskas: Eric Lamela
Special award: Christine Sinclair
Special award: Cristiano Ronaldo
