Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski is up next trying to stop Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo from winning the FIFA best player award.
The Bundesliga forward is on the list with the two standout players on the three-man shortlist announced Friday as his prodigious goals led Bayern to a sweep of titles this year in the Champions League, the German league, the German Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Out of his 55 goals scored last season, one came in Bayern’s 8-2 convincing rout of Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Lewandowski has the distinction of possibly being only the second player after Luka Modric in 2018 in attempting to deny Messi or Ronaldo since their dominant strangle-hold run of FIFA domination started in 2008. Messi has won the award six times with Ronaldo winning it five times.
Only two Bayern players – Franck Ribery in 2013 and Manuel Neuer in 2014 – are among those whose career years were good enough only for third place in previous votes.
Neither Messi nor Ronaldo made it onto the three-man shortlist for the European award, voted on by coaches of top European clubs and media. Kevin De Bruyne was runner-up and Neuer finished third.
The FIFA award was voted on by a four-part worldwide jury comprising national team coaches and captains, media and fans.
Voting has closed and the winners will be announced on Thursday at a virtual ceremony hosted by FIFA.
Bayern coach Hansi Flick, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa are in the running for the men’s coaching award.