Bayern's Lewandowski crowns perfect 2020 with world footballer award

Agencies | Berlin

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski was named men's footballer of the year for 2020 at a ceremony held largely online by global governing body FIFA.

But FIFA president Gianni Infantino made an exception with Lewandowski's award as he 'surprised' the 32-year-old in person to hand over the trophy, said dpa international.

Lewandowski was an outstanding player for Bayern as they claimed the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League treble last season and he ended the calendar year with 41 goals.

He did enough to edge out serial winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who also made the final three-man shortlist, in combined votes from coaches, captains, journalists and fans.

Lewandowski wrestled the trophy from Barcelona's Messi and Ronaldo of Juventus for just the second time in 12 seasons after Real Madrid's Luka Modric took the honour in 2018.

Ronaldo finished second on 38 points to Lewandowski's 52 with Messi third on 35.

England defender Lucy Bronze, who won the treble with Olympique Lyon before moving to Manchester City, took the best women's player award.

Lewandowski's team-mate Manuel Neuer was named best men's goalkeeper but his boss Hansi Flick lost out to Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp for best coach.

Bronze edged out Denmark forward Pernille Harder (Wolfsburg/Chelsea) and France defender Wendie Renard (Lyon) after finishing third last year.

The 53-year-old Klopp retained the honour he won in 2019 which he said "meant the world," to him and that he "couldn't be prouder."

Marcelo Bielsa of Leeds United and Flick were beaten by Klopp from the final shortlist of three.

Sarina Wiegman of the Netherlands won the women's coach of the year award, edging out Emma Hayes of Chelsea and Lyon's Jean-Luc Vasseur.

Sarah Bouhaddi of Lyon and France was named best women's goalkeeper.

The best men's eleven as voted for through the player union FIFPro was: Alisson (Liverpool); Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Virgl van Dijk (Liverpool), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich); Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester United), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool); Messi, Lewandowski, Ronaldo.

The best women's eleven was Christiane Endler (Paris Saint-Germain); Millie Bright (Chelsea), Bronze, Wendie Renard; Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Veronica Boquete (AC Milan/Utah Royals), Delphine Cascarino (Lyon), Harder, Tobin Heath (Man United/Portland Thorns), Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal), Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign).

Rapinoe, who was world player of 2019, posted on social media she was thankful for the votes but felt her selection highlighted the lack of exposure to the women's game given she hadn't played since March.

Son Heung Min of Tottenham Hotspur won the Puskas Award for best goal for his solo effort against Burnley in the Premier League, even though it was scored in December 2019.

Marcus Rashford of Manchester United was honoured with the FIFA foundation award for his work against child poverty.

And 17-year-old Mattia Agnese, of Italy's ASD Ospedaletti, won the fair play award for helping an opponent who lost consciousness during a game.