Ballon d'Or cancellation 'not fair' on Robert Lewandowski
Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the club are “not happy” that the Ballon d’Or prize will not be given for the 2019/20 season, as they fully expected star striker Robert Lewandowski to be a front runner for the honour.
The Pole has been in incredible form this campaign, scoring 51 goals across all competitions at club level to help Bayern to the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, as well as the last-16 of the Champions League, with the remainder of that tournament set to recommence next month.
The 19/20 campaign, in every major league in the world, has been fractured by the Covid-19 pandemic, with games being played behind closed doors and in a largely condensed schedule.
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It is due to these unprecedented circumstances that France Football, the organisers of the Ballon d’Or, have decided not to present the award this year.
“We believe that such a unique year cannot, and should not, be treated as an ordinary year," editor-in-chief Pascal Ferre explained in a statement.
Lewandowski was believed by many to be a front runner for the award due to his exploits, even ahead of the likes of perennial winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
His status as a main contender has left Bayern frustrated at the decision to cancel the awards.
“I believe Robert Lewandowski is playing a fantastic season and he performed maybe the best season in his career,” Rummenigge said.
“Unfortunately, France Football cancelled the Ballon d'Or, which we are not very happy [about].
“In the end, it's not very fair - not just for Bayern but also for Robert Lewandowski, who might have won.
“I believe it's very important that in a season that, except the French league, were performed through to the end of the season, it has to be possible to give the Ballon d'Or to the best footballer in the world.
“Of course, I believe, in those circumstances, Robert would have a good chance to win it for the first time in his career.”
Lewandowski previously finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or standings in 2015 - the closest he has came to winning it in his career.
FootballCritic previously wrote about why Lewandowski should be named Ballon d'Or winner for 19/20.