Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was been crowned the 2021 FIFA Best Men's Player on Monday night, beating Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah to the prize.
The Poland international striker netted a remarkable 69 goals in the calendar year as helped Bayern to more domestic dominance, while breaking Gerd Muller’s long-standing Bundesliga goal record.
The 33-year-old is showing no sign of slowing down and has already notched up 34 goals in 26 matches this season for the German champions.
He pipped Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi to the title, after the Argentine previously pipped the Pole to land his record-breaking seventh Ballon d'Or title as he landed the 2021 accolade in November.
That was a decision that led to multiple football legends criticising the verdict but Monday saw Lewandowski’s claims to be the world’s current best player justified.
Have Your Say! Who would have been your top three players for 2021 The Best FIFA awards? Tell us what you think here.
The top three podium was completed by Liverpool star Salah, who went from strength to strength in 2021 and this season has netted 23 goals and counting with the quality and timing of his goals making him the Premier League ’s standout player.
Two-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema were among the candidates but neither made the final three-man shortlist.
Chelsea midfield duo Jorginho and N’Golo Kante also received multiple votes after stellar years in which they helped the club land the Champions League title.
Manchester City ace Kevin de Bruyne, Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund attacking sensation Erling Haaland also polled well in the voting.
Here's how the top players and coaches voted for the grand prize.
FIFA Best Men's Player voting
Players
Lionel Messi (Argentina) : Neymar, Mbappe, Benzema
David Alaba (Austria) : Lewandowski, Benzema, Jorginho
Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) : Messi, Mane, Salah
Eden Hazard (Belgium) : Benzema, De Bruyne, Jorginho
Thiago Silva (Brazil) : Neymar, Lewandowski, Jorginho
Luka Modric (Croatia) : Benzema, Jorginho, Lewandowski
Harry Kane (England) : Lewandowski, Messi, Kante
Hugo Lloris (France) : Benzema, Mbappe, Kante
Manuel Neuer (Germany) : Lewandowski, Salah, Kante
Georginio Chiellini (Italy): Jorginho, Lewandowski, Kante
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands) : Salah, Lewandowski, Kante
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) : Lewandowski, Kante, Jorginho
Robert Lewandowski (Poland) : Jorginho, Messi, Ronaldo
Andy Robertson (Scotland) : Salah, Lewandowski, Messi
Victor Lindelof (Sweden) : Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Benzema
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) : Salah, Ronaldo, Benzema
Coaches
Roberto Martinez (Belgium) : De Bruyne, Jorginho, Lewandowski
Gareth Southgate (England) : Jorginho, De Bruyne, Messi
Didier Deschamps (France) : Benzema, Mbappe, Kante
Hansi Flick (Germany) : Lewandowski, Salah, Mbappe
Roberto Mancini (Italy) : Jorginho, Lewandowski, Mbappe
Louis van Gaal (Netherlands) : Kante, de Bruyne, Salah
Fernando Santos (Portugal) : Kante, Jorginho, Lewandowski
Rob Page (Wales) : De Bruyne, Salah, Ronaldo
