World footballer choice without Haaland: Lewandowski can hope to defend his title

World footballer choice without Haaland
Lewandowski can hope to defend his title

In several honors, Robert Lewandowski only received consolation prizes in 2021. The election as FIFA world player is still pending. The Bayern striker is defending champion – and has to compete again with his Ballon d’Or competitor Lionel Messi.

FC Bayern Munich’s goalscorer Robert Lewandowski is one of the three finalists in the 2021 election as world footballer. This was announced by the world association FIFA. In addition to the Polish national soccer player, who received the award for the first time last year, Lionel Messi from Paris St. Germain and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah also made it into the final selection.

Last year, the 33-year-old Pole prevailed ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. “There is a great chance that Robert will defend his title. I would bet on him because he is such a great player,” said ex-international Sami Khedira during the announcement. At the Golden Ball at the end of November, Messi had outdone the Munich goal guarantor.

Lewandowski set a new record with 41 goals this season in the Bundesliga last season. In the current season, the Pole is again in top form. Before the start of the second half of the season, the 33-year-old attacker tops the list of goalscorers with 19 hits. The Pole has also been successful nine times in the premier class.

Haaland missed the final selection

Striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, who made it into the top team, is not one of the three finalists. There was no Bundesliga player in the final selection for women. Jennifer Hermoso, Alexia Putellas (both FC Barcelona) and Sam Kerr (Chelsea FC) are among the top three.

FIFA had previously announced the finalists for the choice of world coach. In addition to Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola and Italy’s national coach Roberto Mancini are nominated. Manuel Neuer can again hope for the title of world goalkeeper, Ann-Kathrin Berger can hope for the award as the best goalkeeper.

The choice is made by an international jury. The coaches of all national teams, their captains, a journalist from each country and the fans are entitled to vote. Before Lewandowski, the prize went to Messi (2019), Ronaldo (2016 and 2017) and Luka Modrić (2018). In the women’s category, the Englishwoman Lucy Bronze (2020), Megan Rapinoe from the USA (2019) and Brazil’s Marta (2018) won. The awards in all categories will take place as part of a television show on January 17th in Zurich.

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