December 18 – For once Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo had to take a back seat.
Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski was named The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2020 on Thursday, beating off competition from the two perennial superstars in a virtual ceremony conducted at FIFA headquarters in Zurich in contrast to the usual glittering pomp.
The Poland captain, who led Bayern to the Champions League title as well as the German league and cup double, was a worthy winner after scoring a staggering 55 goals last season.
Lewandowski topped a three-player shortlist that included Messi and Ronaldo, the votes as usual coming from national team captains and coaches, plus selected journalists and fans. Lewandowski received 52 votes, with Ronaldo second on 38 Messi third with 35.
“It’s an incredible feeling” said Lewandowski, who joined Luka Modric – winner in 2018 – as the only players in the past 13 years to deny both Messi and Ronaldo.
“To win such an award and share this title with (previous winners) Messi and Ronaldo, is unbelievable and means so much to me. I am very proud and happy. This is a great day for me, and also for my club and colleagues.
“This award also belongs to my colleagues, the coach and Bayern in general. It is an incredible feeling, a lot of emotions.”
England’s Lucy Bronze, who won the Champions League with Lyon and has since joined Manchester City, was voted the best women’s player, receiving 52 points from the women’s voting jury. Pernille Harder finished second with 40 points and Bronze’s former Lyon teammate Wendi Renard third on 35.
“I don’t have the words right now to explain how I’m feeling,” said Bronze. “If there’s anything 2020 has taught us to appreciate every moment you’ve got, not look too far ahead and live in the here and now. I appreciate it more than ever. I’ll remember this moment forever, for the rest of my life.”
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp took the best men’s coach award for a second straight time having guided the club to its first domestic title in 30 years, a year after clinching the Champions League. Klopp finished tied with Hansi Flick, who took over at Bayern mid-season, but won on a tiebreak.
Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the 2019 World Cup final, was voted the best women’s coach.
Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford was honoured for his campaign to fight child poverty, with FIFA making a donation of $100,000 toward his charitable work.
Winners’ list:
Male player: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Female player: Lucy Bronze (Manchester City, England)
Men’s coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Women’s coach: Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands)
Men’s goalkeeper: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Women’s goalkeeper: Sarah Bouhaddi (Lyon, France)
Goal, Puskas award (best goal): Heung-min Son (Tottenham v Burnley)
Fan: Marivaldo Francisco da Silva (Brazil)
Fair Play: Mattia Agnese (Italy)
FIFA Foundation: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United, England)
FIFPro World XI’s
Men’s
Alisson Becker (Liverpool and Brazil), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool and England), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool and Netherlands), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid and Spain), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich and Canada), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich and Germany), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City and Belgium), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool and Spain), Lionel Messi (Barcelona and Argentina), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich and Poland), Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus and Portugal)
Women’s
Christiane Endler (PSG and Chile), Lucy Bronze (Manchester City and England), Wendie Renard (Lyon and France), Millie Bright (Chelsea and England), Delphine Cascarino (Lyon and France), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus and Italy), Veronica Boquete (AC Milan and Spain), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign and USA), Pernille Harder (Chelsea and Denmark), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal and Netherlands), Tobin Heath (Manchester United and USA)
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