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Robert Lewandowski has congratulated Lionel Messi on winning his seventh Ballon d'Or award. The Bayern Munich star also tipped his hat to Alexia Putellas, the winner of the women's Ballon d'Or award, as well as all other nominated players.
France Football named Lionel Messi as the winner of this year's Ballon d'Or award. The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar finished with 613 points, while runner-up Robert Lewandowski amassed 580.
Despite the disappointing loss, Lewandowski took to social media to congratulate Lionel Messi on winning his seventh Ballon d'Or award. Lewandowski also expressed his gratitude towards Bayern Munich and the fans for their support. He said:
"Congratulations Leo Messi and Alexia Putellas, winners of the Ballon d'Or 2021; congratulations also to all nominated players! I won the 'Striker of the Year' Award, and no player can win an individual award without the strongest team and loyal fans behind him. Thank you for your support", Lewandowski wrote on Twitter.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho was a strong contender for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award. But there was a consensus that Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski were the favourites for this year's award. That indeed proved to be the case, with the Pole finishing just 33 points behind the winner.
Lewandowski can consider himself unlucky to have not won the Ballon d'Or award this time around. Many fans hoped to see him bag the accolade, considering his performances over the last year and this one.
The Bayern Munich star, though, had to settle with the inaugural 'Striker of the Year' award. Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller's long-standing Bundesliga goalscoring record (40 goals) last season, finding the back of the net 41 times in 29 matches.
It remains to be seen how Lewandowski reacts to missing out on the Ballon d'Or award on the pitch.
Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski to battle it out for the 2022 Ballon d'Or?
Lionel Messi has got the better of Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Ballon d'Or award this time round. Could the two battle it out for the prestigious award once again next year?
Many would agree that the battle would not have been close between Messi and Lewandowski had France Football held the Ballon d'Or ceremony last year. Regardless of the individual awards, the two players have been competing against each other to stake their claim to the title of the best player in the world. However, this season, Lewandowski has struck 25 times across competitions, while Messi has done so only four times.
If things go according to plan for Messi and Lewandowski, we could see them on the Ballon d"Or podium once again next year.
