Lewandowski not going to receive 2020 Ballon d'Or despite rumors

"I will speak up to clear all rumors about this matter," Manissier said on Spanish channel RAC1 on Thursday. "At the moment, we are not considering awarding the 2020 Ballon d'Or to Lewandowski. A football organization like France Football has its own rules and we must respect that."

France Football canceled the 2020 award because the France national league Ligue 1 was canceled midway.

The magazine's decision at that time caused controversy, because top tournaments in Europe still took place, even without spectators. Lewandowski shined in that period, winning a treble with Bayern Munich and The Best award from FIFA.

The Ballon d’Or is considered the most prestigious individual award in football. It has been awarded by France Football magazine to players since 1956, voted by journalists and experts.

The Best is considered a lower-tier award, even though it’s voted by coaches, team captains and journalists. Lewandowski has repeatedly said that he still wants to receive the 2020 Ballon d’Or, even if it’s four years later.

In 2021, the Ballon d’Or returned and Lewandowski, despite winning the European Golden Boot, only finished second with 580 points, compared to Lionel Messi's 613 points. This was also the only time the Polish striker entered the top 3 of the Ballon d’Or.

Lewandowski left Bayern Munich for Barcelona in the summer of 2022, but could not maintain his form of scoring over 40 goals in seven consecutive seasons in Germany. After 92 matches for Barca, the 36-year-old striker scored 57 goals and there will be no more chances for him to win the Ballon d’Or.

Currently, no player born after 1987 has won the Ballon d’Or, but this could change in 2024. According to British bookmakers, 23-year-old Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior has the highest chance to win, followed by Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Toni Kroos.