Robert Lewandowski Gives Honest Response To Lionel Messi Wanting Him To Win 2020 Ballon d'Or

Robert Lewandowski has finally spoken after losing out on the 2021 Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi.

Last week's ceremony saw Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi beat Lewandowski to win his seventh award.

During his acceptance speech Messi claimed Lewandowski deserved the award last year, which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lewandowski has now responded to those claims from Messi and he's unsure what to make of it all.

The Bayern Munich striker told Polish publication Kanale Sportowy: "I'm not that enthusiastic about getting the 2020 award.

"I would like it [Messi's 2020 Ballon d'Or statement] to be a sincere and courteous statement from a great player and not just an empty words."

2020 saw Lewandowski win the Bundesliga and Champions League in addition to scoring 47 goals in 44 games in all competitions for club and country.

This year, he's scored score a whopping 66 goals in just 55 matches, but it wasn't enough to beat Messi.

Lewandowski was given the inaugural Striker of the Year award by France Football however.

PA

"I felt sadness," the 33-year-old continued. "I can't deny it.

"I can't say I was happy, on the contrary. I have a feeling of sadness.

"To be so close, to compete with Messi, of course I respect how he plays and what he has achieved. The mere fact that I was able to compete with him shows me the level that I was able to reach."

France Football's editor-in-chief, Pascal Ferre, was asked about Messi's comments shortly after the event.

He explained: "What Messi said was nice and clever. I think we do not have to make very quick decisions.

"We can think about it and at the same time we should respect the history of the Ballon d'Or, which is based on voting.

PA

"We can't be sure if Lewandowski would have won the Ballon d'Or last year.

"We can't know because there was no vote.

"But, to be honest, Lewandowski would have had a great chance of winning last year."

Do you think Robert Lewandowski deserved to win the Ballon d'Or this year?

Topics: Football, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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