Messi’s words were fake – Lewandowski

Carlo Garganese

7 Dec 2021 08:47 GMT
3 min read

Robert Lewandowski has described his sadness at not winning the Ballon d’Or and hit out at winner Lionel Messi for being insincere.

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Messi picked up a record seventh Ballon d’Or of his career in Paris last week, with Lewandowski finishing second and Jorginho third.

The PSG star’s victory has been among the most controversial in recent Ballon d’Or history, with a number of top stars – including Cristiano Ronaldo – criticising the decision.

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It is widely accepted that Lewandowski was the more deserving champion after a sensational 2020/21 season during which he scored 48 goals before starting the new campaign with 27 strikes in 21 matches.

Copa America winner Messi, on the other hand, has scored only one league goal this season and fell well short in the two biggest club competitions of 2021 he played in – the Champions League and La Liga.

What did Lewandowski say about Messi?

"I felt sadness," Lewandowski told Polish outlet Kanale Sportowym. "I can't deny it.

"I can't say I was happy, on the contrary. I have a feeling of sadness. To be so close, to compete with Messi, of course I respect how he plays and what he has achieved. The mere fact that I was able to compete with him shows me the level that I was able to reach."

League goals this season:

Lewandowski - 16
Messi - 1

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— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 4, 2021

And Lewandowski hit out at Messi after the Argentine remarked during his victory speech in Paris that the Pole should have been given the 2020 Ballon d’Or.

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The Ballon d’Or wasn’t awarded last year after France Football decided that too much football had been missed due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Lewandowski felt that Messi was insincere.

"I'm not that enthusiastic about getting the 2020 award," Lewandowski said.

"I would like it [Messi's 2020 Ballon d'Or statement] to be a sincere and courteous statement from a great player and not just empty words."