According to reports by Mailsport, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has become the latest big name to say that Robert Lewandowski should have won the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi this week. Messi edged Lewandowski by 33 points on Monday to win the award for the seventh time in his career.
But the outcome has been queried by a number of people as Lewandowski scored 23 goals more than Messi in 2021 and won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich. Messi won the Copa America with Argentina and the Copa del Rey with Barcelona. Now, speaking to Corriere della Sera, Ibrahimovic said: ‘Leo lives for football. But Lewandowski deserved the Ballon d’Or this year.’
Jurgen Klopp also backed Lewandowski to win while in his acceptance speech on Monday, Messi paid tribute to the Bayern Munich star – who won the award for striker of the year – and said that he deserved to win the scrapped 2020 Ballon d’Or.
‘Robert, you deserve your Ballon d’Or,’ Messi said. ‘Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award. ‘Hopefully France Football will give you the 2020 Ballon d’Or. We all believe you deserved it and I hope you can have it at home.’
Lewandowski was gracious in defeat, saying on Twitter: ‘Congratulations Leo Messi. ‘Congratulations also to all nominated players! I won Striker of the Year Award and no Player can win an individual award without strongest team and loyal fans behind him. Thank you for your support.’
