In a recent interview, Nicolas Manissier, the Director of the Ballon d’Or, firmly stated that Barcelona star Robert Lewandowski will not be awarded the 2020 Ballon d’Or, despite previous speculation and public outcry.

France Football, which oversees the prestigious award, had canceled the 2020 iteration due to the pandemic disruptions, a decision that has remained contentious given Lewandowski’s outstanding performance that year.

During the 2019-2020 season, Lewandowski led Bayern Munich to a historic treble, including the Champions League, Bundesliga, and the German Cup. His individual statistics were equally remarkable, with the Polish striker recording 55 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. His performance peaked during a memorable 8-2 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League quarterfinals.

The decision not to award a Ballon d’Or in 2020 has been widely criticized, especially considering all major football competitions were completed that year. Even Lionel Messi, during his acceptance speech for the 2021 Ballon d’Or, pointed out what many fans and pundits have argued: that Lewandowski was the deserving recipient for 2020.

Despite these arguments and a strong public push for a retrospective award, Manissier told Cadena SER that the institution would not bend its rules. “We are not considering awarding the Ballon d’Or to Robert Lewandowski for 2020. As an institution, we have our own regulations that we rigorously respect,” he stated.

This declaration closes the chapter on any hopes that Lewandowski might receive the 2020 Ballon d’Or, reaffirming France Football’s stance on maintaining their criteria and decisions, even amidst exceptional circumstances.