On the latest episode of the SL Podcasts' Fan Reaction Show, DW Sports correspondent and German football expert Kres Harrington breaks down the upcoming Bundesliga fixtures, with Bayer Leverkusen hosting reigning champions Bayern Munich, and also provides an in-depth analysis of Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski's chances of claiming the 2021 Ballon d'Or.
With France Football having recently announced their official 30-man shortlist of nominees for the 2021 Ballon d'Or award, it has come as no surprise that Bayern and Poland superstar Lewandowski has been included.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony was cancelled, although many around the world believed that Lewandowski was hard done by the most as they felt he was the deserved winner.
However, one cannot forget everything that the Bavarians' No. 9 has accomplished; to name just a couple, he was voted the 2020 Best FIFA Men's Player and also broke Gerd Mullers' Bundesliga goalscoring record of 40 goals in one season (Lewandowski managed to grab 41 league goals in 2020/21 Bundesliga season.)
The 33-year-old is one of two nominated players currently plying their trade in Germany, with Erling Haaland being the other. Although the Norwegian may not come across as a favourite for the award, we cannot forget what Haaland has accomplished in such a short space of time, and to be shortlisted in the top 30 is a fantastic achievement.
