The year 2020 was unlike any other in football history. The global pandemic brought the beautiful game to a standstill, leading to the unprecedented cancellation of major tournaments—including the Ballon d’Or. For the first time since 1956, no winner was crowned, leaving fans and pundits to debate endlessly: if the Ballon d’Or had been awarded, who would have taken home the golden ball? With the season suspended for months and a condensed schedule, players had to adapt quickly, and their performances across different competitions remain etched in memory. At Baji casino, we’ve gathered insights from leading football experts to settle the debate once and for all.
The cancellation was a shock to the football world. Baji casino sports analyst Mark Ellis recalls the moment: “It felt like a void. We were all waiting to see who would claim the ultimate individual prize, especially with such a fragmented season. The decision to cancel was logical, but it left a massive question mark over which player truly dominated that calendar year.” Now, we’re diving deep into the key contenders and their cases.
The Top Contenders for the Canceled Ballon d’Or
Robert Lewandowski: The Undisputed Favorite
Most experts agree that Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski was the clear frontrunner. The Polish striker had a phenomenal year, leading Bayern to a historic treble: the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League. His goal-scoring record was staggering, with 55 goals in all competitions for club and country during the 2019-20 season. “Lewandowski was simply unstoppable,” says former striker and Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville in a hypothetical analysis we’ve adapted here. “He didn’t just score goals; he decided games in crucial moments. The Champions League final was the perfect example—he was relentless.”
- Key stats for 2020:47 goals in 40 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions.
- Major trophies:Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League (scored in every round), FIFA Club World Cup.
- Impact:He was the focal point of a dominant Bayern side, breaking records and providing assists alongside goals.
His consistency throughout the disrupted season made him the overwhelming favorite. “If there’s one player who was robbed of a deserved individual honor, it’s Robert Lewandowski,” adds football historian Dr. Anna Richter. “His 2020 was arguably one of the greatest seasons for a striker in modern football.”
Lionel Messi: The Eternal Candidate
Lionel Messi’s 2020 was a story of individual brilliance overshadowed by team struggles. While Barcelona failed to win La Liga—finishing second to Real Madrid—Messi still delivered jaw-dropping performances. He ended the 2019-20 season as La Liga’s top scorer (25 goals) and assist provider (21 assists in all competitions). His ability to single-handedly carry an aging Barcelona side was evident, especially during the Champions League round-of-16 victory over Napoli.
- Key stats for 2020:26 goals and 21 assists in 35 matches for Barcelona.
- Major trophies:None at club level (not counting the 2019-20 Supercopa de España won in 2021).
- Impact:His creativity and playmaking were unmatched, but his team’s lack of silverware hurt his case.
Lionel Messi: The Eternal Candidate
Yet, the absence of major trophies is a significant flaw in his candidacy. “Messi’s individual numbers were extraordinary, but football is about winning,” notes former midfielder and pundit Jamie Redknapp. “Without a league title or Champions League, it’s hard to justify giving him the award over Lewandowski, who won everything.”
Kevin De Bruyne: The Engine of Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne was the heartbeat of Manchester City’s 2019-20 season, even as they finished second in the Premier League to Liverpool. His creativity from midfield was breathtaking, breaking the record for most assists in a single Premier League season (20). He also chipped in with 13 goals, showing his scoring threat. His performances earned him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
- Key stats for 2020:13 goals and 20 assists in 35 Premier League matches.
- Major trophies:Carabao Cup (won in early 2020).
- Impact:He was the most creative player in Europe, dictating games with his vision and passing range.
However, his lack of a major international or domestic league title outside the Carabao Cup made him a distant third. “De Bruyne was brilliant, but you need more than a trophy he’d already won in a previous season to match Lewandowski’s haul,” says Italian football analyst Fabio Capello in a hypothetical quote.
Dark Horses and Surprise Picks
Cristiano Ronaldo: Still a Force at 35
Cristiano Ronaldo continued to defy age in 2020, leading Juventus to a ninth consecutive Serie A title before the pandemic halted the season. He scored 31 goals in 31 Serie A appearances, becoming the fastest player to reach 30 goals in a single season for the club. His mental resilience and clutch performances kept Juventus competitive in the Champions League, though they fell to Lyon in the round of 16.
- Key stats for 2020:26 goals in 25 matches for Juventus in 2020.
- Major trophies:Serie A title (won in July 2020).
- Impact:His goalscoring was relentless, but his team’s early Champions League exit hurt.
“Ronaldo’s 2020 was a reminder of his longevity, but the context of the season—a shortened campaign—meant he didn’t have the same impact as Lewandowski,” explains Spanish journalist Marta Lorenzo. “He was a candidate, but not the top one.”
Neymar and Mbappé: The PSG Duo
Paris Saint-Germain’s run to the Champions League final in 2020 thrust Neymar and Kylian Mbappé into contention, but both players had injury issues. Neymar missed matches in the spring due to injury and suspension, while Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the famous 4-1 comeback against Barcelona but was inconsistent in the knockout stages. Their collective success was impressive, but individually, they didn’t match Lewandowski’s dominance.
Expert Verdict: Who Should Have Won?
After analyzing the performances, trophies, and individual brilliance, our panel of experts at Baji casino is unanimous: Robert Lewandowski would have won the 2020 Ballon d’Or. “He was the most complete player that year,” says Dr. Richter. “Goals, trophies, consistency—he had it all. The cancellation was a tragedy for football history, but in hindsight, it made his subsequent win in 2021 even more special.”
Neville agrees: “If the award had been given, it would have been a landslide for Lewandowski. He was the personification of a winning team. No one else came close.”
What About the Women’s Ballon d’Or?
The
The year 2020 was unlike any other in football history. The global pandemic brought the beautiful game to a standstill, leading to the unprecedented cancellation of major tournaments—including the Ballon d’Or. For the first time since 1956, no winner was crowned, leaving fans and pundits to debate endlessly: if the Ballon d’Or had been awarded, who would have taken home the golden ball? With the season suspended for months and a condensed schedule, players had to adapt quickly, and their performances across different competitions remain etched in memory. At Baji casino, we’ve gathered insights from leading football experts to settle the debate once and for all.
The cancellation was a shock to the football world. Baji casino sports analyst Mark Ellis recalls the moment: “It felt like a void. We were all waiting to see who would claim the ultimate individual prize, especially with such a fragmented season. The decision to cancel was logical, but it left a massive question mark over which player truly dominated that calendar year.” Now, we’re diving deep into the key contenders and their cases.
The Top Contenders for the Canceled Ballon d’Or
Robert Lewandowski: The Undisputed Favorite
Most experts agree that Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski was the clear frontrunner. The Polish striker had a phenomenal year, leading Bayern to a historic treble: the Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal, and the UEFA Champions League. His goal-scoring record was staggering, with 55 goals in all competitions for club and country during the 2019-20 season. “Lewandowski was simply unstoppable,” says former striker and Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville in a hypothetical analysis we’ve adapted here. “He didn’t just score goals; he decided games in crucial moments. The Champions League final was the perfect example—he was relentless.”
- Key stats for 2020:47 goals in 40 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions.
- Major trophies:Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, UEFA Champions League (scored in every round), FIFA Club World Cup.
- Impact:He was the focal point of a dominant Bayern side, breaking records and providing assists alongside goals.
His consistency throughout the disrupted season made him the overwhelming favorite. “If there’s one player who was robbed of a deserved individual honor, it’s Robert Lewandowski,” adds football historian Dr. Anna Richter. “His 2020 was arguably one of the greatest seasons for a striker in modern football.”
Lionel Messi: The Eternal Candidate
Lionel Messi’s 2020 was a story of individual brilliance overshadowed by team struggles. While Barcelona failed to win La Liga—finishing second to Real Madrid—Messi still delivered jaw-dropping performances. He ended the 2019-20 season as La Liga’s top scorer (25 goals) and assist provider (21 assists in all competitions). His ability to single-handedly carry an aging Barcelona side was evident, especially during the Champions League round-of-16 victory over Napoli.
- Key stats for 2020:26 goals and 21 assists in 35 matches for Barcelona.
- Major trophies:None at club level (not counting the 2019-20 Supercopa de España won in 2021).
- Impact:His creativity and playmaking were unmatched, but his team’s lack of silverware hurt his case.
Yet, the absence of major trophies is a significant flaw in his candidacy. “Messi’s individual numbers were extraordinary, but football is about winning,” notes former midfielder and pundit Jamie Redknapp. “Without a league title or Champions League, it’s hard to justify giving him the award over Lewandowski, who won everything.”
Kevin De Bruyne: The Engine of Manchester City
Kevin De Bruyne was the heartbeat of Manchester City’s 2019-20 season, even as they finished second in the Premier League to Liverpool. His creativity from midfield was breathtaking, breaking the record for most assists in a single Premier League season (20). He also chipped in with 13 goals, showing his scoring threat. His performances earned him the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award.
- Key stats for 2020:13 goals and 20 assists in 35 Premier League matches.
- Major trophies:Carabao Cup (won in early 2020).
- Impact:He was the most creative player in Europe, dictating games with his vision and passing range.
However, his lack of a major international or domestic league title outside the Carabao Cup made him a distant third. “De Bruyne was brilliant, but you need more than a trophy he’d already won in a previous season to match Lewandowski’s haul,” says Italian football analyst Fabio Capello in a hypothetical quote.
Dark Horses and Surprise Picks
Cristiano Ronaldo: Still a Force at 35
Cristiano Ronaldo continued to defy age in 2020, leading Juventus to a ninth consecutive Serie A title before the pandemic halted the season. He scored 31 goals in 31 Serie A appearances, becoming the fastest player to reach 30 goals in a single season for the club. His mental resilience and clutch performances kept Juventus competitive in the Champions League, though they fell to Lyon in the round of 16.
- Key stats for 2020:26 goals in 25 matches for Juventus in 2020.
- Major trophies:Serie A title (won in July 2020).
- Impact:His goalscoring was relentless, but his team’s early Champions League exit hurt.
“Ronaldo’s 2020 was a reminder of his longevity, but the context of the season—a shortened campaign—meant he didn’t have the same impact as Lewandowski,” explains Spanish journalist Marta Lorenzo. “He was a candidate, but not the top one.”
Neymar and Mbappé: The PSG Duo
Paris Saint-Germain’s run to the Champions League final in 2020 thrust Neymar and Kylian Mbappé into contention, but both players had injury issues. Neymar missed matches in the spring due to injury and suspension, while Mbappé scored a hat-trick in the famous 4-1 comeback against Barcelona but was inconsistent in the knockout stages. Their collective success was impressive, but individually, they didn’t match Lewandowski’s dominance.
Expert Verdict: Who Should Have Won?
After analyzing the performances, trophies, and individual brilliance, our panel of experts at Baji casino is unanimous: Robert Lewandowski would have won the 2020 Ballon d’Or. “He was the most complete player that year,” says Dr. Richter. “Goals, trophies, consistency—he had it all. The cancellation was a tragedy for football history, but in hindsight, it made his subsequent win in 2021 even more special.”
Neville agrees: “If the award had been given, it would have been a landslide for Lewandowski. He was the personification of a winning team. No one else came close.”
What About the Women’s Ballon d’Or?
The women’s award was also canceled, and experts similarly point to Pernille Harder of Wolfsburg and Denmark as the clear favorite. She led Wolfsburg to a domestic double and scored in the Champions League final, losing to Lyon. “Harder’s 2020 was extraordinary—she combined leadership, goals, and assists,” notes former footballer and pundit Alex Scott. “She would have been a deserving winner.”
Final Thoughts
The 2020 Ballon d’Or cancellation remains one of football’s great “what ifs.” While Robert Lewandowski is widely considered the rightful winner, the absence of a formal award leaves room for endless debate. What do you think? Would you have given it to Lewandowski, Messi, or someone else? Share your thoughts in the comments below and explore more expert analysis on Baji casino. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest football insights and exclusive content!
’s award was also canceled, and experts similarly point to Pernille Harder of Wolfsburg and Denmark as the clear favorite. She led Wolfsburg to a domestic double and scored in the Champions League final, losing to Lyon. “Harder’s 2020 was extraordinary—she combined leadership, goals, and assists,” notes former footballer and pundit Alex Scott. “She would have been a deserving winner.”
Final Thoughts
The 2020 Ballon d’Or cancellation remains one of football’s great “what ifs.” While Robert Lewandowski is widely considered the rightful winner, the absence of a formal award leaves room for endless debate. What do you think? Would you have given it to Lewandowski, Messi, or someone else? Share your thoughts in the comments below and explore more expert analysis on Baji casino. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest football insights and exclusive content!
