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#3 Lothar Matthaus (1990 Ballon d'Or winner)
Germany and Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has also tipped Robert Lewandowski to win this year's Ballon d'Or award.
The 1990 Ballon d'Or winner starred in Germany's victorious FIFA World Cup campaign in Italy in 1990. Speaking about Lewandowski's credentials for this year's Ballon d'Or award, Matthaus said the race would be close. But he added that the Pole has fared better than some of his rivals, and deserves to win the accolade.
He was quoted as saying by AS in this regard:
"I want (Lewandowski) to win the Ballon d'Or because he already deserved it last year. This year is closer, but he is my favourite.Benzema has had a great season, but he has not won any title. He was knocked out of the Euros with France and he hasn’t been champion with (Real) Madrid in Spain.”
Benzema has had a great year for club and country, scoring goals galore. But he failed to win any major titles, winning only the UEFA Nations League with France. That could go against him in the 2021 Ballon d'Or race.
#2 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (two-time Ballon d'Or winner)
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was one of the best players of his generation. The former Bayern Munich and Germany player is one of a handful of players to win consecutive Ballon d'Or awards.
The former Bayern Munich CEO won the 1980 and 1981 Ballon d'Or awards. He hopes to see Robert Lewandowski win this year's award. During an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he spoke about Lewandowski's credentials:
“I hope Robert Lewandowski can make it, but unfortunately for him, Poland don’t have the quality to win trophies. Leo Messi could be taken into account or, perhaps, an Italian."
It remains to be seen if Lewandowski will become the first Bayern player in more than three decades to win the Ballon d'Or award.
#1 Michael Owen (2001 Ballon d'Or winner)
Michael Owen remains the last English player to win the Ballon d'Or award. The former England and Liverpool forward won the coveted award in 2001.
The 42-year-old feels it would be an 'absolute crime' if Lewandowski doesn't win this year's Ballon d'Or award. Especially after missing out on the award last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said in this regard:
“I thought Lewandowski was so unfortunate not to win it in the COVID year when it was, it was obviously suspended or cancelled that year, and I would probably go with him. There are other candidates, don’t get me wrong, Mo Salah’s had a great season, although he’s not won anything. Jorginho, on the other hand, for Chelsea, [has] won everything."
Owen added:
"But I am not sure he’s potentially good enough to win it ahead of players like Lewandowski, and so I would probably go with him. He has won the Bundesliga again. His numbers are quite staggering. His goals in the last year. So I think I would go for Lewandowski. It would be an absolute crime if he went through his career without winning. He is a stunning player.”
It remains to be seen if Lewandowski's lack of titles with Poland will go against him when the 2021 Ballon d'Or winner gets announced on Monday.
