FIFA 'The Best': Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski claims title
After missing out on the Ballon d'Or despite the most prolific season in Bundesliga history, Robert Lewandowski has been crowned "The Best" by FIFA. The Pole saw off competition from Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi.
Robert Lewandowski
The prolific Pole has become synonymous with goals, title wins and Bundesliga records en route to being regarded as the best out-and-out striker in world football. Yet his story has humble beginnings given that he started from the third division of the Polish football playing for Legia Warsaw's reserves and Znicz Pruszków.
A star at Lech Poznan
After finishing top scorer in Poland's second tier, he joined Lech Poznan in 2008 and led them to the Polish Ekstraklasa title a year later. Soon international scouts came calling and, while a well-documented volcano eruption scuppered a move to England, it was in the Bundesliga where he truly broke onto the scene.
Dortmund: Doorway to German dominance
Dortmund secured his signature for a four-year stint that produced two Bundesliga titles, including the club's first league and cup double in the 2011-12 season. The Pole famously scored four goals in a 4-1 win over Real Madrid en route to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final, but was on the losing side against Bayern Munich, who he'd join a year later.
Making magic in Munich
After moving to Munich on a free transfer, Lewandowski got down to business, finishing his first season with 25 goals in the Bundesliga and winning the first of seven consecutive titles. Integral to Bayern's treble in 2020 - finishing as top scorer in all three competitions - many felt Lewandowski would have won the 2020 Ballon d'Or before it was postponed due to the global pandemic.
Gerd Mueller's record broken
Not detered by missing out, Lewandowski went on to what was previously thought impossible. On 22 May, 2021, the world-class striker broke Gerd Müller's record for most goals scored in a Bundesliga season when he netted for a 41st time in the 2020/21 campaign against Augsburg. It was a remarkable run as he claimed his first European Golden Boot award.
Chasing more records
Not content with beating Müller's record for goals in a single Bundesliga season, Lewandowski is also hot on the German legends' heels for all-time Bundesliga goals. Against Cologne at the weekend, he scored his 299th (photo) and 300th league goals, becoming only the second ever play to make the triple century. But can he match Müller's all-time record of 365?
Poland's record goalscorer
Lewandowski's form at club has also been consistent with his international career where he led the Polish national team to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Since making his debut in 2008, he has made 128 appearances and scored a record 74 goals for his country.
Robert Lewandowski
The prolific Pole has become synonymous with goals, title wins and Bundesliga records en route to being regarded as the best out-and-out striker in world football. Yet his story has humble beginnings given that he started from the third division of the Polish football playing for Legia Warsaw's reserves and Znicz Pruszków.
A star at Lech Poznan
After finishing top scorer in Poland's second tier, he joined Lech Poznan in 2008 and led them to the Polish Ekstraklasa title a year later. Soon international scouts came calling and, while a well-documented volcano eruption scuppered a move to England, it was in the Bundesliga where he truly broke onto the scene.
Dortmund: Doorway to German dominance
Dortmund secured his signature for a four-year stint that produced two Bundesliga titles, including the club's first league and cup double in the 2011-12 season. The Pole famously scored four goals in a 4-1 win over Real Madrid en route to the 2013 UEFA Champions League final, but was on the losing side against Bayern Munich, who he'd join a year later.
Making magic in Munich
After moving to Munich on a free transfer, Lewandowski got down to business, finishing his first season with 25 goals in the Bundesliga and winning the first of seven consecutive titles. Integral to Bayern's treble in 2020 - finishing as top scorer in all three competitions - many felt Lewandowski would have won the 2020 Ballon d'Or before it was postponed due to the global pandemic.
Gerd Mueller's record broken
Not detered by missing out, Lewandowski went on to what was previously thought impossible. On 22 May, 2021, the world-class striker broke Gerd Müller's record for most goals scored in a Bundesliga season when he netted for a 41st time in the 2020/21 campaign against Augsburg. It was a remarkable run as he claimed his first European Golden Boot award.
Chasing more records
Not content with beating Müller's record for goals in a single Bundesliga season, Lewandowski is also hot on the German legends' heels for all-time Bundesliga goals. Against Cologne at the weekend, he scored his 299th (photo) and 300th league goals, becoming only the second ever play to make the triple century. But can he match Müller's all-time record of 365?
Poland's record goalscorer
Lewandowski's form at club has also been consistent with his international career where he led the Polish national team to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Since making his debut in 2008, he has made 128 appearances and scored a record 74 goals for his country.