Ballon d'Or Winner Will Give His Award To Robert Lewandowski If He Doesn't Win This Year's Prize

Ballon d'Or winner Luis Suarez has pledged to hand over his award to Robert Lewandowski if he doesn't win the prize this year.

The Bayern Munich and Poland marksman has again banged in the goals in 2021, carrying on from a stellar 2020 where many felt he was the worthy winner after hitting 55 goals as Bayern Munich won a treble.

Although he won the FIFA Men's Best Player Award, the Ballon d'Or was scrapped due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Lewandowski did not receive the recognition when he was the overwhelming favourite.

He is among the leading candidates this year, alongside the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorginho.

Former Spanish footballer Suarez, who won the Ballon d'Or in 1960 ahead of Ferenc Puskas, is advocating for Lewandowski to finally get his hands on the France Football gong.

But in the event he doesn't, the former Inter Milan and Barcelona striker is willing to give the the 33-year-old his.

Suarez told Carrusel Deportivo: "Give Lewandowski the Ballon d'Or, damn it! If not, I'll give you mine!"

Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller's Bundesliga season goals record earlier this year and though he faces some strong competition for the Ballon d'Or, believes his "achievements speak for themselves".

Speaking to MARCA, he said: "The possibility of winning the Ballon d'Or means a lot to me, it makes me feel proud, if you look at everything I've achieved, not just this year, last year as well when they cancelled the ceremony, I've won a lot of titles, scored a lot of goals.

"It would mean a lot to me to win it, having won the Champions League, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup. Breaking Gerd Muller's record of 41 Bundesliga goals was also a big achievement, one which made me very proud and happy. Everyone can see what I have done and keep doing.

"My achievements speak for themselves because my last two years have been a big achievement, not just for me but for any player in history."

The winner of the 2021 Ballon d'Or will be announced later this month on 29 November during a special ceremony at Paris' Theatre du Chatelet.

Featured Image Credit: Image: PA

Topics: Ballon d'Or, Robert Lewandowski, Luis Suarez

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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