Robert Lewandowski is the big favourite to win FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award at Thursday night’s ceremony in Zurich.
The initial gala in Milan had to be suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it will now go ahead virtually.
And Lewandowski, whose Bayern Munich side completed a historic treble last term, looks set to join an elite club of winners of the men’s award: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Luka Modric.
Lucy Bronze, Pernille Harder and Wendie Renard are up for the women’s award in a ceremony that will also remember Diego Maradona and Paolo Rossi, who both died this year.
READ ALSO: Cristiano, Messi, Lewandowski Named As Finalists For The Best award
With France Football deciding not to give out their coveted Ballon d’Or this year, the FIFA award – which has been going since 2016 – has all the more prestige attached to it.
Lewandowski scored 55 goals last season, with 34 in the Bundesliga, 15 in the Champions League and six in the DFB-Pokal.
Cristiano managed 37 across the campaign, with Messi landing the Pichichi award for LaLiga Santander’s highest scorer with 25. The Argentine also notched five goals across the Champions League and Copa Del Rey competitions.
‘The Best’ has a two-stage voting process. First a panel of football experts chooses ten nominees. Then a second group of journalists, commentators and national teams coaches and captains make their decisions.
As well as crowning the world’s best players, a best XI is also named for the 2019/20 campaign.
Sergio Ramos looks likely to be named in it once again, having also featured in every year except 2009 and 2010.
Marcelo Bielsa will fight it out with Jurgen Klopp and Hansi Flick for the title of best men’s coach.
