The two best players in the world will go head-to-head next Friday when Barcelona take on Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.Lionel Messi vs Robert Lewandowski will be a riveting battle between two players who are performing at an exceptionally high level right now.Messi’s goal in Barcelona’s 3-1 win against Napoli on Saturday was another example of his extraordinary abilities, while Lewandowski added to his ridiculous goalscoring tally in Bayern’s 4-1 win over Chelsea.The Polish international scored his 52nd and 53rd goals of the season as Hans-Dieter Flick’s side reached the last eight.
If it wasn’t clear before this season that Lewandowski is the best No.9 in the world, then it is now.He has 13 goals in seven Champions League games this season. By comparison, Messi has three goals in this year’s competition, while Cristiano Ronaldo finished with four goals.
Ronaldo’s record of 17 goals in a single Champions League campaign, set in 2013/14, is now in sight for the Pole.
When Ronaldo set that mark, he played in two-legged quarter-final and semi-final ties. Lewandowski won’t get that privilege this season.
He’s also creating goals, too. Lewandowski was involved in all seven goals Bayern scored in their 7-1 aggregate win over Chelsea, assisting four of them.
What we’re basically trying to say is that the 31-year-old was robbed of the 2020 Ballon d’Or award.
France Football’s decision to cancel the award has denied Lewandowski the accolade he deserves.
Because, while Messi has dragged a poor Barcelona side to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Lewandowski has been incredible, with his form never falling below ‘elite’ for the entire campaign.
It's an almighty shame that he won't get his opportunity in the spotlight. He certainly deserves it.