Bundesliga’s prolific goal scorer and Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski will battle it out with seven-time Ballon d’Or holder Lionel Messi and Liverpool superstar Mohammed Salah for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award 2021. Lewandowski, incidentally, took home the 2020 honors after becoming the first player to win and top score in each of the Bundesliga, UEFA Champions League and DFB Cup, with a combined 55 goals. He, however, finished second in the Ballon d’Or race in 2021 behind Messi but was awarded the first-ever Striker of the Year award at the back of his continued record-breaking efforts in front of goal.

“Having plundered a record 41 single-season Bundesliga goals across the 2020/21 campaign – 48 in all competitions – Lewandowski capped 2021 by setting a new gold standard for calendar year goals (43). With 19 strikes halfway into the current Bundesliga campaign, he is on course to land a record fifth successive Torjägerkanone,” Bundesliga’s official website said on announcing his nomination. 

“The 2021 European Golden Shoe and Golden Player winner has also struck nine times in six appearances Champions League appearances so far this season, and netted a brace in the Supercup,” it added. 

The Polish player’s Bayern Munich teammate and veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has also made it to the list of the final three of the men’s goalkeeper category.

READ MORE – Bayern Munich news: COVID-hit league leaders host Borussia Monchengladbach

The list of the three nominees for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award 2021 has been cut out from an initial list of 11 players which included Karim Benzema, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

It is expected to be a race between Lewandowski and Messi for the Best FIFA Men’s Player award 2021 despite the prolific form shown by the Egyptian for the Merseyside club. 

Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr and Jennifer Hermoso are among the shortlist of the Best FIFA Women’s Player award 2021. Barcelona star Putellas, who won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for 2021, will also be the front-runner for the honours. 

Australia’s Kerr has had a remarkable run for Chelsea which puts her in contention for the award while Hermoso, the team-mate of Putellas at Barcelona, completes the final shortlist.

The winner of the Best FIFA Men’s award will be announced on January 17, 2022. The ceremony will be streamed live on the official sites including bundesliga.com.