2021 Best FIFA Football Awards: Who did Ronaldo, Messi, and Lewandowski vote for?

The 2021 Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony was hosted in Zurich on Monday, where Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was crowned the Men’s Best Player, ahead of legendary Argentine and Paris Saint-Germain forward Lionel Messi and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah.

Cristiano Ronaldo bagged the FIFA Special Award, but did not make the list for the Men’s Best Player, despite having a prolific season. Here’s how Ronaldo, Messi, and Lewandowski voted at the 2021 Best FIFA Football Awards.

Robert Lewandowski:

The best player of the year, known to be a humble personality, did not vote for himself, but instead tipped Chelsea and Italy’s deep-lying playmaker Jorginho to win the award. Lewandowski’s choice is understandable, considering that Jorginho had a remarkable season that saw him lift the UEFA Champions League trophy and the FIFA Club World Cup trophy. The Italian playmaker also went on to win the Euro, marking Italy’s first Euro win since 1968.

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Lewandowski’s second pick was none other than Argentine legend Lionel Messi, with Ronaldo being his third pick.

Cristiano Ronaldo:

No stranger to award ceremonies, Cristiano Ronaldo was spot on with his pick. Ronaldo tipped Lewandowski to win the best player award, knowing fully well how prolific the Polish striker had been in 2021. He picked Chelsea and France midfield machine N’Golo Kante for his second vote, while his third choice was Jorginho.

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Lionel Messi:

The Argentine magician’s votes were a bit off the mark as he tipped PSG teammate and Brazilian forward Neymar to win the award. Messi’s second choice was also another PSG teammate, none other than the prolific Kylian Mbappe who bagged 51 goals in 2021. The Argentine’s third choice, however, was perhaps the most surprising as he picked a long-time rival, Real Madrid‘s Karim Benzema, who is also enjoying an exceptional season.