In the absence of the Ballon d'Or award this year, the spotlight is on the 2020 FIFA The Best and the top contenders to win the honor has been revealed. The usual suspects are on the list but the real excitement is the likelihood of Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski beating football's perennial favorites - Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
FIFA said the winner will be known on December 17, and he will be taking home the trophy once labeled as the FIFA World Player of the Year. Lewandowski is touted to get the honor despite having to compete against Messi and Ronaldo, who are previous winners.
The Polish forward being the favored candidate is justified by his performance last season. He was the headline player as the Bavarians rampaged through a dazzling campaign that netted Bayern the treble win.
ESPN recalled that Lewandowski's 55 goals last term powered the Germans to another Bundesliga title win. And the side deposed Champions League defending winner Liverpool by winning all their matches in Europe's most prestigious competition.
It was believed that had the Ballon award was not scrapped this year, its organizers citing the shortened football due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lewandowski's impressive run in performance last season would make him a shoo-in for the FIFA recognition.
The 32-year-old star admitted that missing Ballon at a time that he displayed his best football so far was a disappointment. But having a clear shot at the FIFA award is also a dream, adding that he pushed his performance to the limit in Bayern's successful campaign.
"It's always special to win a FIFA award, a dream. Personally, I know how hard I worked and pushed myself to have the year I had. If you love what you do, it is possible to get the prize," Goal reported Lewandowski as saying.
Also, the Polish has expressed confidence that he will give Messi and Ronaldo a hell of a fight for FIFA's recognition. Lewandowski drew attention to the fact that found the net last season countless times and Bayern did win all the titles available for the club.
In contrast, while Messi finished the season with impressive scoring numbers Barcelona went trophyless in the campaign.
As for Ronaldo, the Portuguese superstar proved he remains a scoring machine for Juventus and the Turin club kept the Serie A crown. But the Italians failed to advance deep in the UCL, which should be an advantage for Lewandowski as Bayern grabbed the 2020 Champions League title.
The Polish said winning the 2020 FIFA The Best award is likewise an acknowledgment of Bayern Munich's "unbeatable year."
