Classy Robert Lewandowski attended Ballon d’Or ceremony despite knowing he had lost to Lionel Messi days earlier
ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI was reportedly told he would not be winning the Ballon d'Or days before the event but turned up anyway.
The Bayern Munich star, 33, came second to Lionel Messi, who won the award for a seventh time.
Lewandowski lost out by just 33 points with Chelsea star Jorginho rounding off the top three.
France Football inform the winner of the award beforehand and according to Lewandowski knew he would not be collecting the coveted prize three days before Monday's ceremony.
But he still turned up, unlike Cristiano Ronaldo, and came away with the striker of the year award instead.
Many felt his omission for the Ballon d'Or was harsh, particularly after he was a favourite to land the 2020 title.
His agent Pini Zahavi felt Messi winning was unfair, saying: "Big congratulations to Messi. An impressive player and an eternal legend of football.
"But the Ballon d'Or 2021 is not his. Not this time. The Golden Ball belongs to Robert Lewandowski.
FREE BETS: GET THE LATEST BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS AND FREE BETS
“He wasn't robbed, but he's the man who deserves it. No wonder that many hundreds of millions of fans find the result difficult to believe at the prestigious football event.
"Monday should have ended with Robert celebrating his first Ballon d'Or."
And Messi also acknowledged Lewandowski in his acceptance speech, stating the Poland international deserves a Ballon d'Or trophy of his own.
He said: "I would like to mention Robert Lewandowski, it’s been a real honour to compete with you.
“Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year.
“I think France Football should award you your 2020 Ballon d’Or - you deserve it and you should have it at home."
⚽ Read our Football news live blog for the very latest rumours, gossip and done deals