Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has explained how he truly felt after losing out on the 2021 Ballon d'Or to Lionel Messi last week.
Lewandowski To Be Handed Ballon D'Or?
Last Monday, the Poland international sat alongside Messi as the winner of the Ballon d'Or for 2021 was named. The Argentine scooped up the prestigious prize, with Lewandowski finishing in second place.
A common response to the outcome of the event was that it was the 33-year-old who deserved the accolade, with many of his colleagues, including Thomas Muller and Alphonso Davies, publicly sharing that sentiment.
Even Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola believed Lewandowski could have taken the award home, but what did the striker himself think? In a recent interview, he admitted to feeling hurt after finding out the result.
Here are some of the best images from the star-studded Ballon d'Or ceremony:
"The worst moment was the week when I found out about the results," he said, according to The Nation.
"I admit that I felt sad. I felt unsatisfied because I was close.
"When you compete with a footballer as great as Messi and you hear that you can win a prize, you know what level and stage of your career you are at."
Lewandowski's treble-winning campaign in 2020 saw him tipped as favourite for the award until France Football decided to cancel last year's ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two Real Madrid Icons Slam Messi's Ballon D'Or Win
After he missed out to Messi last week, calls for the organisers of the Ballon d'Or to reverse their decision and hand the Poland striker the 2020 prize have been heard, although an outcome is yet to be reached.
