Messi or Ronaldo? Robert Lewandowski Settles GOAT Debate With Defiant Take

Messi or Ronaldo? Robert Lewandowski Settles GOAT Debate With Defiant Take

  • Robert Lewandowski previously had an interesting take on the never-ending debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
  • That the two are among the best, if not the best, football players ever has continued to generate a heated debate online and in other fora
  • Lewandowski was rather infamously denied the 2022 Ballon d'Or before missing out to Lionel Messi a year later

Robert Lewandowski previously waded into the divisive GOAT debate between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Pole striker has been among the top players of the last 15 years, whose only mistake was existing in the same era as Messi and Ronaldo.

Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, GOAT debate
Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid on October 26, 2024. Photo by Diego Souto.
Source: Getty Images

It goes without saying that the two have hogged headlines in every league and competition they have played in for the last two decades. They have a combined 13 Ballon d'Or them, nine Champions League titles, among other many achievements.

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Lewandowski chooses between Messi and Ronaldo

Their fans have kept the debate alive even as the two reach the tail-end of their careers. In 2021, Lewandowski declined to name who was better, opting to put himself forward.

"I choose Lewandowski. I've had so many questions about the Ballon d'Or. Last year, they cancelled it, so I couldn't go. I won everything I could win. This year, I scored 69 goals in one season, so you know," he said, as quoted by Daily Mail.

Should Lewandowski have won the Ballon d'Or?

In 2021, the 36-year-old was 'robbed' in what has become one of the greatest travesties in football after the organisers chose not to have the Ballon d'Or award that year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Lewandowski, then at Bayern Munich, was the overwhelming favourite after guiding the Bavarians to a sextuple.

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He was also snubbed in 2021 despite scoring 69 goals for club and country, with Lionel Messi beating him to the award.

"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 Barcelona striker has started the season positively in Spain and is already up to 14 goals in the Pichichi race.

Early candidates for 2025 Ballon d'Or

In an earlier report, Legit.ng had put Lewandowski among the early favourites for the 2025 Ballon d'Or Award alongisde Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior.

Lewandowski is the most experienced player in Hansi Flick's young squad and he would be expected to lead from the front all season long.

The Blaugrana made another huge step towards winning La Liga after beating Real Madrid on Saturday.

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Source: TUKO.co.ke

Authors:
Chukwu Ikechukwu avatar

Chukwu Ikechukwu (Sports Editor) Chukwu Ikechukwu Godwin is a seasoned sports journalist with over a decade of experience across radio, TV, and online media. His career has seen him contribute his expertise to prominent media outlets such as Today FM, Wish FM, Silverbird Communications, and Sports Brief. Chukwu earned his Bachelor's degree in Agriculture from the University of Port Harcourt in 2016. Email: Chukwu.ikechukwu@corp.legit.ng