Rio Ferdinand endorses Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski to win the Ballon d’Or over Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema

With only less than a month to go until France Football reveals the winner of this year’s Ballon d’Or, the debate on who is the more deserving candidate stays as heated as ever. Several leaked reports popped up here and there labeling Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski as the potential winner in the last few days.

Lewandowski keeps on proving his case week in, week out on all different platforms. There’s little to no doubt that the Polish international not winning it would be a blunder. A stellar performance from the No.9 against SL Benfica in the Champions League attracted an unusual crowd and although no amount of vouching matters now as the voting is closed, former Manchester United star and pundit Rio Ferdinand endorsed Lewandowski to win the award on BT Sport’s post-game show.

He said, “This is a special, special player. Ronaldo and Messi have always been the benchmark, always, but Robert Lewandowski, it’s his time to potentially win the Ballon d’Or this year.”

“In the calendar year, by the way, in the 38 games he’s played he’s got 50 goals. No one is neat that. This is today in the game, the goals are ridiculous, he scores every type of goal – that’s what I love about him. He’s got your No.9 goals where you’re at the back-post heading balls in like that, he’s got deft touches”, added Ferdinand.

The 42-year-old was also one among the many who condemned France Football’s decision to cancel the award last year.

The award ceremony will be held in Paris on 29^th November. Bayern fans are hoping for Lewandowski to rightfully win the award but aren’t completely ruling out a possible snub, thanks to a handful of similar situations they have been through in the past years.

(Quotes via @iMiaSanMia on Twitter)