Lineker backs extraordinary call for retrospective Ballon d'Or award for Lewandowski

Gary Lineker has backed Lionel Messi's call for Robert Lewandowski to be awarded a retrospective 2020 Ballon d'Or award in the light of the Polish striker's achievements during the 2019/20 season. 

Despite winning the treble and finishing top scorer in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League in 2020, Lewandowski missed out on the award when the ceremony was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

While Lionel Messi was awarded his seventh Ballon d'Or on Monday night for 2021, the Argentine made a call for France Football (organisers of the Ballon d'Or) to consider awarding a retrospective title to the Bayern Munich striker. 

"Robert, you deserve your Ballon d'Or. Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award," Messi said while receiving his award.

English pundit Lineker quickly backed the Paris Saint-Germain forward, stating that the Poland international deserves to have at least one Ballon d'Or. Lineker also said that it was the right thing and an 'easy' thing to do.

"I think last year’s 2020 Ballon d’Or should be retrospectively given to Robert Lewandowksi. He deserved to win it. He deserves to have one. Messi agrees. Messi’s right. Give Robert Lewandowski the award. Such an easy thing to do, and the right thing to do," the ex-England international tweeted. 

Robert Lewandowski was alternatively recognised as the inaugural winner of the Striker of the Year award by France Football on Monday night. The Bayern Munich hitman scored 41 league goals during the 2020/21 season, breaking Gerd Muller's long-standing Bundesliga record in the process.