Munich “Bayern” FC striker Robert Lewandowski has been named the 2021 FIFA Player of the Year by the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA). This was announced on late Monday evening. The 33 years old Pole, who won the “FIFA Golden Ball” for the second time in a row, scored 535 votes in the poll, ahead of the Egyptian midfielder of “Liverpool” Mohammed Salah (271) and the Argentine striker of “Paris Saint-Germain” Lionel Messi (254). Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the awards ceremony was held online in Zurich.
“Barcelona” women's midfielder Alexia Putellas has been named FIFA Women's Player of the Year.
Senegalese Édouard Osoque Mendy has been named FIFA World Goalkeeper of the Year for 2021. In 2021, Mendy won the UEFA Champions League with “Chelsea” and was named the tournament's best goalkeeper.
German Thomas Tuchel has been named as the Best Coach of 2021 by FIFA. Josep Guardiola and Roberto Mancini also claimed the prize. Tuchel, who started the 2020/21 season at the helm of “Paris Saint-Germain”, left the team in December 2020 to take over at “Chelsea”. Among women, Emma Hayes, also from “Chelsea”, was the best coach.
