CLAIMS that Cristiano Ronaldo gave his Dubai Globe Soccer Player of the Year award to Robert Lewandowski in an incredible gesture have been denied.
Tuttosport reported that the Juventus legend was set to pick up the gong in Dubai on Sunday after fans voted him as the best player for 2020.
Cristiano Ronaldo was reported to have given up the Dubai Globe Soccer Player of the Year award to Robert Lewandowski, but that’s been deniedCredit: EPA
The Italian newspaper said that he and his agent Jorge Mendes decided to turn the award down after it was deemed “unfair” and the Portuguese superstar only won it because of his popularity.
However, a spokesperson from the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards has refuted Tuttosport’s story and said Lewandowski won it fair and square.
“Robert Lewandowski was named Player of the Year 2020 at last night’s Dubai Globe Soccer Awards, thanks to a combination of votes from fans all over the world and votes from the Dubai Globe Soccer Jury,” a statement said.
“Lewandowski has had an exceptional season, being a top scorer of the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup and stacking up victories for his club, Bayern Munich.”
Poland international Lewandowski enjoyed his most prolific season to date in 2019-20 scoring 55 goals in all competitions.
His 15 goals in the Champions League helped his side Bayern Munich record their six title in the competition.
Ronaldo didn’t go home empty-handed – winning the Player of the Century award.
Speaking at the ceremony, the 35-year-old said: “For 20 consecutive years I have played and scored as a professional, I didn’t know there was another record to beat.
“It’s a pleasure to hear about the records, I have achieved all this but without my teammates, without a great team, I would not have achieved these records.
Robert Lewandowski had his most prolific year scoring 55 goals in all competitions last seasonCredit: AFP
“It is an exceptional achievement. It gives me the motivation to move forward.
“To be named the best is a great honour, I hope that this situation is over next year and that we can have more fun, thank you very much.
“I hope to still be able to play for more years.”
Cristiano Ronaldo looks frustrated as the winner of the 2020 Fifa Best Men’s Player is announced
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
