Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski has explained how he has dealt with missing out on the 2021 Ballon d'Or award after Lionel Messi claimed the accolade a seventh time.
Lewandowski: Messi's Words Touched Me
A lot has been said about France Football's prestigious prize after Messi pipped the Poland international to the award in November.
Lewandowski, who was the favourite to win the 2020 edition before it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, has now insisted he is proud of himself for doing all he could to challenge for the individual accolade.
"I've had so many questions about the Ballon d'Or. Last year they cancelled it, I couldn't go, I won everything I could win," he said, according to talkSPORT.
"This year I scored 69 goals in one season, so you know. I did everything that I could do, because in the Champions League against PSG I was injured, I couldn't play.
"But with my performance, with myself, if I stand in front of the mirror I can say to myself: 'You did everything that you can, you scored 69 goals, you won the German league and you can be proud of yourself.'
"I respect other players because they are great players, but I know that, for me, it's important to be myself and think always positively."
The ex-Borussia Dortmund forward was also asked who he believes is the best player between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and answered by saying: "I choose Lewandowski."
This season so far, the 33-year-old has scored 30 goals in 25 matches across all competitions.
Click through the gallery below to see some of the best images from the Ballon d'Or ceremony last month:
