Lewandowski wins Best FIFA Men’s Player Award, Tuchel named best men's coach
Robin Bairner
- Updated: 17 Jan 2022 14:08 CST
- 4 min read
Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski has won The Best FIFA Men's Player award for 2021.
It is the second time in succession the Pole has claimed the honour, beating Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah to the prize.
Lewandowski enjoyed another prolific year with Bayern, notably scoring 41 goals in just 29 Bundesliga matches during the 2020/21 campaign. Already in 2021/22, he has netted 34 times in only 26 games, making him the game's most prolific goalscorer.
Meanwhile, he helped his side to the Bundesliga title.
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Winning this gong should make up for his disappointment in losing out on the Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi, who earned a seventh such crown, in part thanks to his efforts in helping Argentina win the Copa America.
The Best FIFA Women's Player was won by Barcelona's Alexia Putellas, who completed a double as she also won the Ballon d'Or Feminin.
✨🌍 The Best FIFA Men's Player! 🌍✨
Many congratulations, Lewy! 🔴⚪#TheBest #MiaSanMia @lewy_official pic.twitter.com/b2QBl1Q5i6— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 17, 2022
Mendy wins goalkeeping honours
Chelsea shot-stopper Edouard Mendy picked up The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper prize for his exploits for his new club since joining from Ligue 1 side Rennes in the summer of 2020.
He has helped the team achieve a remarkable level of defensive consistency.
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Christiane Endler, second in the two previous editions, claimed the Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award.
Tuchel wins Best Men's Coach
In terms of the game's outstanding coach, it was Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel who triumphed.
Sacked by Paris Saint-Germain at Christmas 2020, he found himself quickly back in employment as he took the job at the struggling Stamford Bridge side.
The boss. 🤩
Thomas Tuchel has been named #TheBest FIFA Men’s Coach! 🥇 pic.twitter.com/Gh9KvhiCZb— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 17, 2022
He rapidly installed a newfound sense of discipline in the team, leading them up the Premier League table but more notably to the Champions League title, upsetting the odds by overcoming Manchester City 1-0 in the final.
It was an achievement impossible without the tactical discipline he installed at the club.
Tuchel's achievement was part of a remarkable double for the Blues as Emma Hayes won the prize for being The Best Women's Coach.
