'I don't know why' - Robert Lewandowski admits he's still haunted by Covid-enforced Ballon d'Or cancellation & defeat to Lionel Messi in 2021

Lewandowski looked a shoo-in for the 2020 Ballon d’Or after an extraordinary season with Bayern Munich. His lethal finishing had powered the German giants to a domestic and European treble, and he sat at the very top of the world game. But in a twist that still gnaws at him, the award was scrapped entirely that year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a decision that denied Lewandowski his best chance at footballing immortality, and one that he has not forgotten.

Determined to prove himself again, Lewandowski returned in 2021 with an even more jaw-dropping individual campaign. The striker smashed Gerd Muller’s long-standing Bundesliga record with 41 goals in a single season, firing Bayern to a ninth straight league crown. 

Still, when the Ballon d’Or votes were counted, it was Messi who claimed the Golden Ball. The Argentine had enjoyed a stellar year of his own, scoring 38 goals, assisting 14 more, and leading Barcelona to Copa del Rey glory. Crucially, he had also spearheaded Argentina’s Copa America triumph, their first major title in nearly three decades.

Messi used his victory speech to praise Lewandowski, telling the audience he “deserved” the 2020 honour. But for the Polish forward, the sentiment did little to ease the hurt.

"I was in the best moment of my career, I won everything with my club," he said in a new interview with the BBC. "I think the difficult thing with that case is until now I don't know why."

When asked who might win the coveted Ballon d’Or next, Lewandowski turned his attention to his Barcelona team-mates. 

"Lamine Yamal's season was incredible but in the end it depends what is most important. He still has a lot of time, if not this year maybe next year," he said. "Raphinha also had an amazing season. We have players who can be one of the favourites to win this kind of title."

The 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony will be held on September 22 at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.