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Kevin De Bruyne makes his pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or
Following the Poland international’s goal-filled performances for the Bundesliga champions, Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has said Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski “would be my pick” for this year’s Ballon d’Or.
After scoring 32 goals in just 26 Bundesliga matches this calendar year and 55 goals in 47 competitive appearances for Bayern, Lewandowski appeared to be the obvious choice for the 2020 award.
Those goals helped his team complete the treble, only for the Ballon d’Or to be canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But Poland’s evergreen captain picked up where he left off, and he was later named the Best FIFA Men’s Player of the Year.
He scored 41 goals in 34 Bundesliga games in 2021, breaking Gerd Müller’s single-season scoring record in the German top flight as Bayern cruised to a ninth consecutive domestic title.
The two Bundesliga representatives on the Ballon d’Or shortlist are Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund.
Despite the fact that five City players are among the nominees, including De Bruyne, the Belgium international attacking midfielder has backed Bayern’s goalscorer supreme.
“If I had to choose myself personally, I’m going to look at a two-year period, because we didn’t have anyone [last year],” said the former Wolfsburg man ahead of City’s UEFA Champions League game against Club Brugge.
“I’d choose Lewandowski for what he has done in the last two years – goalscoring wise, and also he’s won a lot with Bayern. He would be my pick.”
Lewandowski has never finished on the Ballon d’Or podium, despite winning the European Golden Shoe for his record-breaking 41 goals in 29 top-flight appearances in Germany last season.
The final positions are determined by votes cast by international media, with the winner being announced on November 29th.
The former Borussia Dortmund forward finished fourth in 2015, his best finish to date, but De Bruyne is not the only one who believes Lewandowski will win the poll this time.
“He deserves the Ballon d’Or, and in my opinion he should win it, because he has played more consistently than anyone over the last three years,” said Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Nagelsmann also believes his 33-year-old striker, who is known for his fitness and professionalism, will be able to play for a while longer.
“If Robert Lewandowski’s body stays like this, he’s far from finished. He’s extremely dynamic, has no injuries, and he can train a lot.
“I have real faith that he can play at the very top level for some years to come, also because he puts everything in place in his life to be in the best possible physical shape.”
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Kevin De Bruyne makes his pick for this year’s Ballon d’Or
