Robert Lewandowski beats Lionel Messi to Best FIFA Men’s Player award

ByEurosport

Updated 17/01/2022 at 20:36 GMT

Robert Lewandowski was pipped to the Ballon d’Or by Lionel Messi in December but was again recognised at the FIFA Best Awards in Zurich, having won the gong the previous year too. The striker hit 300 Bundesliga goals recently and is closing in on Gerd Muller’s all-time record in the German top-flight.

Robert Lewandowski has won the Best FIFA Men’s Player award for the second year running.

The Bayern Munich and Poland striker enjoyed another sensational year in 2021, firing 69 goals in all competitions.

He saw off competition from PSG star Lionel Messi, who had pipped him to the Ballon d’Or title in November, and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

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After being announced as the winner by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Lewandowski said: "I am very honoured to win this trophy. I feel very proud. I feel happiness because this trophy belongs also to my team mates, to my coaches, because we all work hard to winning the games, to winning the trophies."

Lewandowski's latest success comes after he made Bundesliga history by reaching 40 goals in record-breaking time. He struck 41 times in 29 matches to break Gerd Muller’s previous record for goals in a calendar year.

Highlights: Lewandowski breaks Muller's goalscoring record in Bayern win

"I never dreamt of breaking this record of Gerd Muller, to score 41 goals in 29 games," he said.

"If you asked me that a few years ago, I tell you no, it's impossible to score so many goals in Bundesliga."

Lewandowski finished his acceptance speech by paying tribute to Muller, who died last August at the age 75.

"I also say to him thank you because without him it would have been impossible. He got so many records and for me and the next generation of players that was the next step, to be there, to break his record."

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