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Peter Crouch Claims It Would Be A 'Travesty' If 'Special' Player Doesn't Win Ballon d'Or In His Career

Peter Crouch Claims It Would Be A 'Travesty' If 'Special' Player Doesn't Win Ballon d'Or In His Career

Peter Crouch has hailed Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski as a "special, special player" and an "unbelievable centre-forward."

Peter Crouch has insisted that it would be a “travesty” if Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski did not lift the Ballon d'Or in his remarkable playing career.

Lewandowski, 33, made history last season after he surpassed Bayern legend Gerd Muller to claim the goalscoring record for a single Bundesliga campaign.

The Polish star scored an impressive 41 times in 29 Bundesliga appearances en route to Bayern being crowned champions of Germany.

Lewandowski has maintained his excellent form for the current season, with the Bayern striker scoring 22 times in 16 appearances across all competitions.

The Poland captain was considered the favourite to win the 2020 Ballon d'Or before France Football cancelled the award due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Lewandowski, who made the 30-man shortlist for the 2021 Ballon d'Or, scored a sensational hat-trick against Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday.

And Crouch was left in awe at the former Borussia Dortmund star’s performance and hailed Lewandowski as a “special, special player.”

Speaking after Bayern’s 5-2 win over Benfica, Crouch said on BT Sport: “I can’t argue with Lionel Messi.

“But I just think if Robert Lewandowski doesn’t win a Ballon d’Or in his lifetime, it will be a travesty.

“And I think that this year with the amount of goals he’s scored -- I think he’s got 22 goals now and it’s October, I didn’t have 22 goals in May.

“This is a special, special player and I think [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi have always been the benchmark, always.

“But I think Robert Lewandowski, it’s his time to potentially win it this year.”

Lewandowski faces stiff competition for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award from the likes of Lionel Messi, Jorginho and N'Golo Kante.

However, the Poland international still remains in contention for France Football’s sought-after prize, with Crouch calling him an “unbelievable” centre-forward.

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“He's an unbelievable centre-forward,” Crouch said.

“For me, playing that position, you marvel in it. He's the only one left on that list -- Lionel Messi doesn't play there, Jorginho [is a midfielder]. A proper No 9 I'd called him, and a genius.”

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand also added that Lewandowski “should have won” the Ballon d'Or in 2020 before it was cancelled.

“He should have won it last year. Remember, they didn't give him the Ballon d'Or because of COVID but he should have won it,” he said.

The ceremony for the 2021 Ballon d'Or will be held at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on 29th November.

Featured Image Credit: PA/BT Sport

Topics: Peter Crouch, Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Germany, Football