Bayern Munich forward, Robert Lewandowski has defeated Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the best FIFA men’s player of the year award.
This year award event was held virtually from FIFA’s headquarter in Zurich, Switzerland on Thursday night.
Lewandowski’s stellar season for Bayern was earlier recognised by UEFA by receiving an award for European player of the year in October.
The Polish striker has now interrupted the 13-year Messi-Ronaldo hegemony with his new achievement.
The Bayern Munich star won the fifth edition of the annual awards after helping the Bundesliga giants to a historic treble.
🏆 He’s done it! @lewy_official overcomes two of the greatest players in history to become #TheBest FIFA Men’s Player for the first time!
🔴 @FCBayern | @LaczyNasPilka 🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/TK34hTXcsS
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 17, 2020
The Poland forward was without equal in the 2019-20 season, scoring 55 goals in 47 appearances as Bayern swept to a Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal treble – with Lewandowski the top scorer in all three competitions.
The 32-year-old has continued his stunning form into the new season and, on Wednesday, scored his 250th goal in the Bundesliga to help Bayern to an important win.
Lewandowski was the firm favourite to scoop the prize in a year in which the Ballon d’Or was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, Lucy Bronze, England and Manchester City player, won the women’s player of the year award.
Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s gaffer, beat Marcelo Bielsa and Handi Flick of Leeds United and Bayern Munich respectively to the Best FIFA Coach of the Year Award.
Klopp guided Liverpool to a first Premier League title for 30 years last season.
Also, Sarina Wiegman of Netherlands carted home the Best FIFA Women’s Coach Award.
Manuel Neuer, Germany and Bayern Munich shot stopper, won the Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper Award while Sarah Bouhaddi clinched the women version.
Heung-Min Son of Tottenham Hotspur picked the award for the best goal of the past 12 months at the FIFA Best Awards for his incredible solo effort against Burnley in the last match.
