This hasn't been a normal year for football, nor has it been normal for anyone.

The game we all know and love ceased to exist for a couple of months as Coronavirus hit the world in devastating fashion.

Consequently, various domestic leagues were either postponed or cancelled entirely.

Fortunately, we saw the return of the Premier League in June and then the Champions League greeted our screens once again this month.

It has been a knock-out stage to remember for the neutrals with Manchester City swatted aside by Lyon. 

Atalanta ran PSG close and then Leipzig knocked out Atletico Madrid too.

However, the most remarkable of matches occurred last Friday when Barcelona were thumped 8-2 by Bayern Munich.

Bayern vs Barca

To make matters worse, Thiago and Philippe Coutinho were both sensational as they put their former and parent club to the sword. 

The final will take place this coming weekend and it'll take quite something to stop Bayern. They are surely favourites to win at this stage.

Coincidentally, one of their players has also been touted to win FIFA's Player of the Year award.

Unfortunately, we saw France Football cancel this year's Ballon d'Or ceremony but The Best awards, as they are now known, will still take place.

That's according to Bayern chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Speaking to Kicker (via The Sun), he said: "According to a statement by the President of Fifa, this award should take place.

"Gianni Infantino told me that the award should be given to the best player, the best goalkeeper and the best coach. That is very welcome."

This will come as good news for Bayern because striker Robert Lewandowski is the favourite to win.

Lewandowski


GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

Thomas Muller joked terribly that Lewandowski should be named 'LewanGOALski' after Bayern beat Barcelona.

The Pole may have only found the back of the net once in that drubbing but he has had a phenomenal season, one where he's earned numbers that both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of.

In 2019/20, Lewandowski has found the back of the net on 54 occasions in just 45 matches.

Lewandowski pre-match

It's a truly ridiculous record and few would bet against him being recognised by FIFA in the months to come. 

If he wins the Champions League, he will have further cause to win it, especially over Messi and Ronaldo. The pair of them scored 31 times apiece, while the former failed to win a single trophy this term. 

Lewandowski has won both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal this season, adding to the numerous titles he's already won in Germany.

A European crown would top it off.