France Football is reportedly considering a significant twist by potentially changing a previous Ballon d’Or result.
The prestigious prize has been awarded every year by the French outlet since 1956, except for one notable exception.
In 2020, the Ballon d’Or was canceled due to the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football.
“Robert, you deserve your Ballon d’Or,” Lionel Messi declared in his acceptance speech for the 2021 award.
He acknowledged that many believed Robert Lewandowski was the rightful recipient of the 2020 accolade.
Lewandowski, who scored an impressive 47 goals in 44 games across club and country, clinched both the Bundesliga and the Champions League titles.
France Football’s editor-in-chief, Pascal Ferre, emphasized the importance of “respecting the history of the Ballon d’Or” in response to Messi’s plea.
However, a recent report from SPORT suggests that Lewandowski may indeed receive the award he was previously denied.
Rumors indicate that Paris Saint-Germain exerted pressure to ensure Messi’s victory in 2021, raising concerns about the magazine’s reputation.
Consequently, France Football is said to be evaluating the possibility of rectifying the situation by recognizing Lewandowski’s outstanding achievement.
While Lewandowski won the FIFA Men’s Best Player for 2020, he has expressed his willingness to accept a delayed Ballon d’Or.
“Let’s put it this way: if I received the 2020 Ballon d’Or four years later, I would not feel offended. It would be a great honor, and I would accept the award,” he stated in an interview with Sport Bild.
