Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne has backed Robert Lewandowski to win the 2021 Ballon d’Or, saying the Bayern Munich striker is his pick.
After scoring an impressive 32 goals in 26 Bundesliga matches over the calendar year in 2020 and 55 goals in 47 competitive outings for Bayern, which helped them win the treble, Lewandowski looked to be the obvious choice for the award in 2020, only for the Ballon d’Or award to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But the Poland international hasn’t slowed down since then. He’s found the back of the net 41 times in 34 Bundesliga matches in 2021 and last season help Bayern to a ninth successive Bundesliga crown.
“If I had to choose myself personally, I’m going to look at a two-year period, because we didn’t have anyone [last year],” said,” de Bruyne. “I’d choose Lewandowski for what he has done in the last two years – goalscoring wise, and also he’s won a lot with Bayern. He would be my pick.”
Bayern Munich coach, Julian Nagelsmann, agrees, stating that the 33-year-old has been more consistent that any other player over the last three years.
“He [Lewandowski] deserves the Ballon d’Or, and in my opinion he should win it, because he has played more consistently than anyone over the last three years,” Nagelsmann said.
Lewandowski is in the running for the prestigious individual award, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and 27 others.
The winner will be announced in a ceremony in Paris on 29 November.