Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski was named The Best Fifa Men’s Player 2020 on Thursday, beating off competition from last year’s winner Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lewandowski, who won the German league and Cup double as well as the Champions League with Bayern, finished as top scorer in all three competitions and won the award for the first time.
The 32-year-old also led Poland to Euro 2020 qualification and was named the 2019-20 Uefa Men’s Player of the Year in October.
“To win such an award and share this title with (previous winners) Messi and Ronaldo, is unbelievable and means so much to me,” Lewandowski said. “I am very proud and happy. This is a great day for me, and also for my club and colleagues.
“This award also belongs to my colleagues, the coach and Bayern in general. It is an incredible feeling, a lot of emotions.”
Manchester City full back Lucy Bronze won the women’s best player award, becoming the first female English player to take the prize.
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been bestowed with the Fifa Foundation award in recognition of his inspirational charity work to combat child poverty and pressure the British government into providing free meals.
The evening began with Rashford — in a pre-recorded segment — receiving the accolade. “It will have a knock-on effect,” Rashford said, “because things will start to happen in other countries as well.”
In other men’s categories, Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp was named The Best Men’s Coach for the second successive year after guiding Liverpool to a first Premier League title in 30 years. Lewandowski’s Bayern teammate Manuel Neuer was named The Best Fifa Men’s Goalkeeper.
