Peter Crouch believes it would be a “travesty” if Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski does not win a Ballon d’Or in his career.
Lewandowski has been in relentless form this year. He has already scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, in only 16 appearances.
Last season, the Poland international scored 41 and assisted seven in 29 Bundesliga matches, claiming the European Golden Shoe.
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His legendary 2020/21 campaign saw him break the record for the most Bundesliga goals scored in a single season – breaking Gerd Muller’s 49-year record.
Unfortunately for Lewandowski, there was no Ballon d’Or winner in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 33-year-old was a shoo-in for the award, with many pundits and fans believing he was robbed of the accolade.
He is favourite to win it this year, however. And former Liverpool striker Crouch believes it would be a “travesty” if he fails to win the Ballon d’Or during his career.
A BT Sport poll showed that fans believe Lionel Messi should take home the award on November 29.
Give it to him https://t.co/AjhRzjBxZm
— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) November 2, 2021
“I can’t argue with Lionel Messi,” Crouch said. “But, I just think if Robert Lewandowski doesn’t win a Ballon d’Or in his lifetime, it will be a travesty.
“And I think that this year with the amount of goals he’s scored – I think he’s got 22 goals now and it’s October, I didn’t have 22 goals in May.
“This is a special, special player and I think [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Messi have always been the benchmark, always. But I think Robert Lewandowski, it’s his time to potentially win it this year.”
Lewandowski has scored 50 goals in 38 games this calendar year – collecting another match ball after bagging a hat-trick against Benfica on Tuesday evening.
Elsewhere, Unai Emery will turn down the chance to manage Newcastle United, according to Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.
Newcastle had identified Emery as their first-choice candidate to permanently replace Steve Bruce after a long process which narrowed the shortlist down to the Spaniard and Eddie Howe.
‘Emery will reject the approach from Newcastle,’ he wrote. ‘His doubts after the game had to do with not knowing the latest. And the latest – I think – was an unnecessary huge pressure on match day and not a clear vision from the club.
‘What does Eddie Howe have to do with Unai, for instance?’
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