Robert Lewandowski 'wouldn't act offended' if handed belated Ballon d'Or four years on from Covid cancellation - but Barcelona star insists 2021 prize 'belongs to Lionel Messi'

The former Bayern Munich forward was at the peak of his powers between 2020 and 2021 but was not rewarded with the world's most prestigious individual prize. The Covid pandemic meant the award ceremony was cancelled in 2020, with the Poland international missing out after scoring 55 times across all competitions to help Bayern win the treble during the 2019-20 season. 12 months later Lionel Messi, who was still at Barcelona at the time, received his seventh Ballon d'Or and sparked outrage that Lewandowski had not been recognised for his achievements.

Rumours are circulating that the absent award could be handed out, albeit four years later than planned. Lewandowski was undoubtedly one of the best players on the planet again in 2020-21 and he broke Gerd Muller's record for most goals in a Bundesliga campaign before going on to bag 50 goals in all competitions the year after.

Speaking to Sport BILD, Lewandowski said: "Of course I would have liked to receive the Ballon d'Or award one day. It's not that I'm angry or sad because this trophy is still missing. But my feeling is that it would have been my turn in one of the two years. In 2020 and 2021 I had the best years of my career.

"The one from 2021 belongs to Lionel Messi. I noticed that there are rumours about a subsequent award for 2020. This year was outstanding for me, I was at my highest level, we won everything. Let's put it this way: If I were to receive the 2020 Ballon d'Or four years later, I certainly wouldn't act offended - it would be a great honour."

Lewandowski has enjoyed life in Spain so far, scoring 53 goals in 89 appearances for Barcelona since his 2022 switch from Bayern. The Spanish giants are set to relinquish their La Liga crown to rivals Real Madrid but the Polish goalscorer will be hoping to prove he still has the quality that made him a Ballon d'Or candidate in the first place during the final games of the season.