FIFA’S The Best awards are set to go ahead this year, claims Bayern Munich’s chairman.
France Football announced in July the Ballon d’Or has been scrapped for 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reckons Fifa will put on their The Best awards, won by Lionel Messi last time, for 2020Credit: Getty – Contributor
But Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insists Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino is planning for the governing body’s version of the award to go ahead as usual.
Rummenigge told Kicker: “According to a statement by the President of Fifa, this award should take place.
“Gianni Infantino told me that the award should be given to the best player, the best goalkeeper and the best coach. That is very welcome.”
The prestigious best men’s player gong – now in its fifth year – was won by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016 and 2017 before Luka Modric and then Lionel Messi.
And Rummenigge has a particular interest in this year’s awards being handed out… because Robert Lewandowski is the favourite – just as he was for the Ballon d’Or.
The Bayern Munich and Poland striker, 31, has been in sensational form this year.
He has 54 goals for the season so far, with potentially two matches still to go – Bayern face Lyon in the Champions League semi-finals.
That figure includes 24 in 2020 alone, despite a three-month suspension to the season.
It’s a disgrace that they have taken the Ballon d’Or away for this year.
Rio Ferdinand
BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand even joked Lewandowski should start a petition to get the annual awards on this year.
The Ballon d’Or was axed due to the “lack of sufficient fair conditions” with some seasons being cut short, matches played behind closed doors and five substitutions.
Ferdinand said: “If I’m Lewandowski and they have cancelled the Ballon d’Or, I’m starting up a petition to get it back on.
“I can’t believe they have cancelled it. It’s cruel. Lewandowski deserves to win that award for what he has done this season and if he leads Bayern Munich to the Champions League and they still decide they won’t give it out to him, it’s not right.
“I think it’s a disgrace that they have taken it away for this year.
“Why can’t they give the award out, even if they don’t have a big ceremony to hand it over like they normally do? I think it’s really out of order.”
Robert Lewandowski is the favourite for Fifa’s The Best award if it goes ahead following his stunning year with Bayern MunichCredit: Getty – Pool
Robert Lewandowski shows off his remarkable skills hitting bottle off fan’s head
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
