Lionel Messi gained the 2021 Ballon d’Or with 33 extra factors than the 33-year-old Robert Lewandowski. That is the place the connection between the 2 gamers ends. Regardless of publicly stating that he felt Lewandowski ought to have gained final 12 months when the awards have been cancelled, many really feel this 12 months’s prize additionally ought to have gone to the Pole.
And with good motive. Messi’s lengthy awaited await a trophy with Argentina lastly ended, however when it got here to on-field performances in 2021, it’s laborious to look previous Lewandowski.
Congratulations Leo Messi and @alexiaputellas winners of the #BallonDor2021, congratulations additionally to all nominated gamers!? I gained Striker of the Yr Award and no Participant can win a person award with out strongest crew and constant followers behind him. Thanks in your assist?? pic.twitter.com/I6j4BtluYS
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) November 29, 2021
Granted he gained the newly minted “Finest Striker of the Yr” prize however the truth that it was achieved to alleviate the anger at him not profitable the Ballon d’Or fooled only a few observers.
GOALS
Lewandowski was approach forward of Messi’s aim tally in 2021, throughout membership and worldwide duties. The Bayern Munich striker has 53 targets for the Bavarians in all competitions, averaging a ridiculous 67 minutes in between strikes. Greater than half of them got here in a record-breaking league season, which noticed him surpass Gerd Muller’s 41 targets tally within the Bundesliga.
A reminder that Robert Lewandowski scored 64 occasions and assisted 10 occasions in 2021.
The equal of a aim or help each 4.9 days throughout the course of a calendar 12 months ? pic.twitter.com/2eP1ohhBEe
— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) November 29, 2021
Furthermore, he additionally hit 11 targets for Poland in Euro 2020 (three) and the World Cup 2022 Qualifiers (eight). Although they have been unable to make it into knockout rounds of the previous, Lewandowski and co. have clinched a playoff spot for the World Cup subsequent 12 months.
‣ 47 targets from 44 video games for membership & nation (calendar 12 months)
‣ High goalscorer in Bundesliga, Champions League, & DFB Pokal
‣ Helped Bayern to a historic treble
‣ The Finest FIFA males’s winner? RT in case you assume Robert Lewandowski ought to have been given the 2020 #BallonDor award pic.twitter.com/EEHNpnvew3
— Sporting Life Soccer & Infogol (@InfogolApp) November 29, 2021
Messi was approach behind with 32 targets, as each he and Barcelona struggled mightily in Ronald Koeman’s remaining full season. Moreover, he has not been helped by a sluggish begin to life at PSG, with solely 4 targets throughout all competitions to date. Nevertheless, his crowning second in fact got here on the Copa America as he racked up 4 targets and 5 assists.
Messi has had an additional 5 targets in World Cup Qualifiers. Nonetheless, it has not been one of many “ridiculous” years that followers have come to count on and Lewandowski was comfortably higher positioned.
ASSISTS
Lewandowski has by no means been a prolific assists supplier, given the central position he occupies. Nonetheless, he managed 9 assists, although none of them got here at Euro 2020. The basic distinction in roles performed by every participant implies that he’ll all the time path on this division.
Messi’s 37 G/A in 28 begins for a Koeman-coached crew in 2021, was an enormous feat. He raised the extent of the crew to profitable the Copa & a title race. Barca’s dip after Messi left made that clear. Add 9 G/A in 7 begins in a Copa América win & Messi’s Ballon d’Or case was too sturdy.
— Premier League Panel (@PremLeaguePanel) November 29, 2021
Organising teammates has all the time been considered one of Messi’s biggest strengths, as indicated by 17 assists for membership and nation. 5 of these got here on the Copa America, and an additional three in the newest match for PSG.
XG
Each gamers overperformed on their xG based on stats from Understat over the previous season. Lewandowski’s 41 league targets from an xG of simply 32.08- a whopping distinction of 8.92. He did it with an xG90 of 1.17 as properly. Given how he preys contained in the penalty field, it’s no shock that solely three of his strikes have been from exterior. His lowest xG was 0.02 however most of them had a a lot better probability of getting completed, which they duly have been.
Can be a travesty if, after 2020 award was scrapped, Lewandowski doesn’t win a Ballon d’Or.
Already has 25 targets throughout all comps this season (14 in 13 BL video games).
Most targets throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues in 2021 with 41.
64 in 53 this 12 months ?pic.twitter.com/k8E7u0JOHK
— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) November 29, 2021
Messi’s 30 strikes have been from an xG of 26.68, lower than half of Lewandowski’s. His xG90 can be behind at 0.80. Unsurprisingly, he has had eight targets from exterior the penalty space. Messi’s lowest xG was 0.03, whereas he was additionally helped by his unerring ending from set-pieces too.
Lionel Messi this season for #PSG:
?️11 video games
⚽️4 targets
?️4 assists pic.twitter.com/mzJo4n3YGG— VBET Information (@VBETnews) November 28, 2021
For the present season, Lewandowski has 14 targets within the Bundesliga from an xG of 14.40, which simply highlights his lethal accuracy in entrance of aim. However, Messi has struggled as his solitary aim has solely occurred from an xG of three.19. Little question he’s taking to settle in Paris, however for now the Pole is evident.
XA
For a change, Lewandowski truly aced this space as properly. His seven assists within the Bundesliga have been his most since he joined Bayern Munich. Understat gave him an xA of solely 4.82 however he was comfortably away from it, and had 0.18 xA90.
Robert Lewandowski has been straight concerned in 10 #UCL targets to date this season — 9 targets and an help.
Simply 5 video games into the marketing campaign… ? pic.twitter.com/HmNZnoJfOW
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) November 23, 2021
The present season has began off a bit slowly, as Lewandowski trails his xA of two.49 with only one help to date. There may be loads of time to make up for it and few would guess in opposition to him to just do that.
Messi will get his fifth profession 3-assist match, and first for PSG ? ?️ ?️ ?️ pic.twitter.com/pRRkaJ0SLW
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 28, 2021
Likewise, Messi additionally underperformed with an xA of 11.42 belying his 9 assists in La Liga. He had an xA90 of 0.34, and his contributions have been very decisive for Barcelona finally ending third. With PSG, his three assists in a single sport has already overshot his xA of 1.88 until now. As he finds his toes increasingly, these numbers are certain to rise.
ACCOLADES WON
Lewandowski (as particular person): Bundesliga Golden Boot, European Golden Boot, IFFHS World’s Finest Man Participant, Tuttosport Golden Participant, Footballer of the Yr in Germany.
King of the #Bundesliga, King of Europe. ??@Lewy_Official is the WINNER of the European Golden Shoe 2021! ?? pic.twitter.com/CG1beUZetQ
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) September 21, 2021
Lewandowski (membership and nation): Bundesliga, DFL Supercup.
Messi (as particular person): La Liga Golden Boot, Copa America Golden Boot, Copa America High Assists-provider, Copa America Participant of the Match.
Leo Messi at Copa America:
Most targets ✅
Most assists ✅
Participant of the Match ✅
Winner ✅— Soccer Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) July 11, 2021
Messi (membership and nation): Copa del Rey, Copa America.
FINAL VERDICT
Each the gamers had a supremely spectacular 2021, and Messi’s worldwide trophy may simply have given him the sting, alongside on-pitch brilliance. Nonetheless, with how Lewandowski carried out over the previous two years, he was absolutely in Pole place to carry his first Ballon d’Or.