The 2020 Ballon d'Or remains one of the most controversial omissions in football history. For the first time since the award was introduced in 1956, France Football decided not to crown a winner, leaving fans wondering who would have claimed the prestigious individual honour.
Robert Lewandowski was widely considered the favourite to win the 2020 Ballon d'Or after producing a phenomenal season with Bayern Munich. The Polish striker helped his team win the historic treble while finishing as the top scorer in all three competitions.
Why Was the 2020 Ballon d'Or Cancelled?
French magazine France Football, which organises the Ballon d'Or, announced the cancellation on July 20, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global health crisis disrupted football calendars, suspended competitions and forced leagues to adopt unusual formats when matches resumed.
According to the organisers, the circumstances made it difficult to judge players fairly. Some leagues were cancelled, while others resumed after lengthy breaks. The Champions League also adopted a modified knockout format, with single-match ties from the quarter-finals onwards.
France Football believed awarding the trophy under these exceptional conditions could compromise its credibility and historical significance. Consequently, neither the men's nor the women's Ballon d'Or was awarded that year.
Why Robert Lewandowski Was the Favourite to Win the 2020 Ballon d'Or
Robert Lewandowski was the standout candidate for the 2020 Ballon d'Or because of his extraordinary goalscoring record and contribution to Bayern Munich's success. The Polish forward delivered one of the finest individual seasons of his career, combining consistent performances with major trophies.
During the 2019-20 campaign, Lewandowski scored 55 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions. He finished as the leading scorer in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League, demonstrating his remarkable consistency at every level.
Lewandowski's Incredible 2019-20 Season
Here are the key numbers behind his Ballon d'Or credentials:
Total goals: 55 in 47 appearances across all competitions.
Bundesliga: 34 goals, earning the Golden Boot.
Champions League: 15 goals, finishing as the competition's top scorer.
German Cup: Six goals, making him the tournament's leading scorer.
Major trophies: Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League.
Lewandowski's performances helped Bayern Munich complete a remarkable treble under manager Hansi Flick. He was not simply a prolific scorer; his movement, finishing and ability to deliver in crucial matches made him central to the team's dominance.
Bayern also finished the Champions League campaign unbeaten, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final. Although Lewandowski did not score in the final, his contributions throughout the tournament were instrumental in securing European football's biggest club prize
Could Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo Have Won Instead?
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo remained potential contenders because of their outstanding individual records. Messi had won the 2019 Ballon d'Or, while Ronaldo continued to produce impressive performances for Juventus.
Karim Benzema was another possible candidate following his strong performances for Real Madrid. However, Lewandowski's combination of goals, individual scoring honours and a historic treble made him the most convincing choice for many observers.
While the result can never be confirmed, his 2019-20 campaign gave him a compelling case to win his first Ballon d'Or.
Did Robert Lewandowski Ever Win the Ballon d'Or?
Lewandowski never received the 2020 Ballon d'Or because the award was cancelled rather than postponed. However, he won the 2020 Best FIFA Men's Player award, recognising his outstanding performances during the same period.
The cancellation remains a major talking point among football fans, with many believing Lewandowski missed a deserved opportunity to claim the sport's most prestigious individual prize.
His remarkable season ensured that, even without an official Ballon d'Or victory, his name remains at the centre of discussions about the award's most unfortunate omissions.
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