Not Messi this time: The Argentinian received the Ball D’Or at the end of November, the title World Player of the Year now goes to Robert Lewandowski.
(Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa)
Awarded as world footballer: Mohamed Salah from FC Liverpool.
(Photo: Matt Dunham/dpa)
Robert Lewandowski from FC Bayern Munich is to world Footballer of the Year has been chosen. He prevailed against Mohamed Salah (Liverpool FC) and Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain) in the competition organized by the world football association Fifa. “Thank you very much, I feel very honored,” said Lewandowski, who was named player of the year for the second time in a row. “I’m very, very proud and feel very lucky,” said the 33-year-old Pole, who dedicated the award to his teammates.
Because of the corona pandemic, Fifa President Gianni Infantino announced the winner from Zurich via an online gala. In contrast to the recent award of the Golden Ball – which Messi received again at the end of November – not only sports journalists decide at Fifa, but four groups of equal size: the 211 captains of all national football teams listed at Fifa, plus the coaches of these national teams, as well as the same number of journalists and fans who have registered on the Fifa website.
To the World Player of the Year the Spaniard Alexia Putellas from FC Barcelona was awarded. Among the three finalists were Jennifer Hermoso, also FC Barcelona, and Australia’s Sam Kerr from Chelsea FC.
When World Coach of the Year Thomas Tuchel was awarded. The team manager of Champions League winners FC Chelsea won the election ahead of Roberto Mancini from European champions Italy and Pep Guardiola from Manchester City. Tuchel succeeds Jürgen Klopp, who received the award for his successes with Liverpool FC in 2019 and 2020. “It’s been a very normal day so far, I’ve just come from training, but now you said my name,” said Tuchel, who was connected via video, to Arsène Wenger, who honored him. “It’s quite surreal, I’m overwhelmed and a little uncomfortable.” Tuchel took over Chelsea just over a year ago and won the Champions League directly with the London club.
The title World Coach of the Year may wear Emma Hayes, also from Chelsea. The other two finalists were FC Barcelona’s Lluis Cortes and Sarina Wiegman, who has coached the England women’s national team since September last year.
Manuel Neuer missed his second award World Goalkeeper of the Year. Tuchel’s Chelsea goalkeeper Édouard Mendy was chosen, and European champion Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain) also made it to the final. Neuer had won the election for 2020 after Bayern’s triple triumph. When World Goalkeeper of the Year Christiane Endler from Olympique Lyon was honored. “I couldn’t be prouder,” said the Chilean.
the Men’s world selection consists of Gianluigi Donnarumma (goal) – David Alaba, Ruben Dias, Leonardo Bonucci (defense) – Jorginho, N’Golo Kanté, Kevin De Bruyne (midfield) – Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi (attack). the World selection of women includes Christiane Endler (goal) – Lucy Bronze, Wendie Renard, Millie Bright, Magdalena Eriksson (defense) – Estefania Banini, Carli Lloyd, Barbara Bonansea (midfield) – Vivianne Miedema, Marta, Alex Morgan (attack).
The so-called fan award went to the Danish and Finnish spectators in the stadium, who showed greatness at the European Championships in the summer when Danish player Christian Eriksen collapsed unconscious.