Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski was named 2021 Best Fifa Men’s Player of the Year, while Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo bagged the special award.
Lewandowski, 33, claimed the prize for the second consecutive year after scoring 69 goals.
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He won ahead of Paris St-Germain’s Lionel Messi and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Ronaldo was lauded for being the men’s international all-time top scorer.
Lewandowski broke the late Gerd Muller’s 49-year record for scoring the most Bundesliga goals in a calendar year with 43 in 34 league appearances.
Speaking via video link after receiving the award, he said he never dreamed of breaking the record set by Muller, who died in 2021.
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“If you you asked me a few years ago, I would have said it is impossible to break that record and score that many goals in the Bundesliga,” said Lewandowski.
“But now he (Muller) is not with us anymore and I also say thank you to him because this record would not be possible without him. He set so many – and for the next generation of players it was to try and beat it.”
He took to his official Twitter handle to express his gratitude after receiving the award.
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He twitted;
“It is a great honor and pleasure to receive the title of FIFA The Best Men’s Player 🏆
Thank you for your votes and your support 🙏
#TheBest
@FIFAWorldCup
@FIFAcom
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