Lewandowski Named UEFA Men's Player of Year

Following a superb season in which he won the treble with Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski was named UEFA men's player of the year on Thursday.

Lewandowski was to collect the award at the Champions League group-stage draw in Geneva, just weeks after Bayern won the competition's 2019/20 edition, reports AFP.

The striker from Poland, who scored 55 goals in 47 games as Bayern also won the Bundesliga and the German Cup, saw Bayern team-mate Manuel Neuer and Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City win the trophy.

"It's a great feeling, because you're working so hard, so this trophy is something extraordinary," Lewandowski said after being awarded the competition.

"I have to say thank you to my team-mates and coaches who helped me get where I am. Also my family have given me so much support and are so important."

In last season's Champions League, Lewandowski also picked up the award for best striker after amassing 15 goals in 10 games. He only needed 14 minutes in one game against Red Star Belgrade to score four times.

The 32-year-old was also last season's top scorer in the Bundesliga with 34 goals, equal to a goal in an 18-team league game.

It was the fifth time since arriving at Bayern from Borussia Dortmund in 2014 that he won the award for the highest number of goals in the German top flight.

Had it not been cancelled by France Football magazine due to the coronavirus pandemic, Lewandowski would have been the clear favourite to win the Ballon d'Or this year.

With Neuer winning the 2019/20 Champions League goalkeeper of the season, Joshua Kimmich winning campaign defender and Hansi Flick named men's coach of the year, it was a good evening overall for Bayern.

After being drawn in Group A alongside Atletico Madrid, Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow, they will also be favorites to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages this season.