Robert Lewandowski has been named as the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2021 – two months after being pipped to the Ballon d’Or award.
Lewandowski has scooped the award after scoring a remarkable 69 goals in all competitions last year.
The Polish striker broke Gerd Müller's 49-year Bundesliga goalscoring record as Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga title and DFL Supercup.
He finished behind Lionel Messi in the voting for the Ballon d’Or in November, as the Argentine picked up his seventh award, which is organised by French newspaper L’Equipe.
But he did not have to play second fiddle on Monday night as he finished clear of Messi at the top of the voting.
Messi claimed second spot in the FIFA Best Men’s Player running, ahead of Liverpool and Egypt star Mohamed Salah, who completed the podium.
Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema came in fourth place ahead of Chelsea ’s Champions League-winning midfield duo N’Golo Kante and Jorginho.
Cristiano Ronaldo came in seventh place, with Kylian Mbappe eight, Kevin De Bruyne ninth, Neymar 10th and Erling Haaland in 11th.
Ronaldo did, however, come away from the ceremony at FIFA's Headquarters in Zurich with recognition, having been awarded the Special Best Men's award for becoming the all-time highest scorer in international football.
Here is the full points breakdown for the awards:
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Robert Lewandowski – 48 points
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Lionel Messi – 44 points
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Mohamed Salah – 39 points
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Karim Benzema – 30 points
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N’Golo Kante – 24 points
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Jorginho – 24 points
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Cristiano Ronaldo – 23 points
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Kylian Mbappe – 16 points
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Kevin De Bruyne – 11 points
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Neymar – 10 points
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Erling Haaland – 7 points
HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of the rankings? Comment below.
"Thank you very much for the award. I am very humbled," Lewandowski said upon receiving the award.
Alongside a picture of him holding the award, he later tweeted: “It is a great honor and pleasure to receive the title of FIFA The Best Men's Player. Thank you for your votes and your support.”
It was a good night for Chelsea, whose Champions League win was recognised with a few individual awards.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel won the award for the FIFA Best men's coach, while Edouard Mendy won the award for the best men's goalkeeper.
Chelsea’s Emma Hayes also scooped the award for the Best Fifa women's coach.
Erik Lamela won the FIFA Puskas award, which recognises the best goal in world football during the year, for his rabona strike for Tottenham against Arsenal.
Barcelona's Alexia Putellas was named as the Best FIFA women's player.
FIFA’s Best Men’s XI was revealed as: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Ruben Dias, Leonardo Bonucci, David Alaba; Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Kevin De Bruyne; Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland.
