For the second consecutive year, Bayern Munich and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski was crowned as the world's best player after pipping Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah to the award at The Best FIFA awards ceremony on Monday.
Lewandowski was a unanimous choice to win the award in votes tallied by South Africa captain Ronwen Williams and national team coach Hugo Broos, who both selected the 33-year-old as the top pick for the 2021 accolade.
In ballot documents revealed by Spanish publication Marca, it is shown that Williams chose the legendary to win the award ahead of Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.
Broos similarly selected Lewandowski for the coveted award, although he opted for Argentine superstar Lionel Messi as his second choice and Manchester City and Belgium ace Kevin De Bruyne for the third position.
Meanwhile, Robert Marawa was invited to vote as South Africa's media representative and the veteran sportscaster submitted his pick for Lewandowski, Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, and Benzema, in that order.
Scroll through the gallery to see all the major award winners from 2021 The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony, including the FIFA FIFPRO World 11
The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2021: Alexia Putellas (Spain / FC Barcelona)
The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy (Senegal / Chelsea)
The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper: Christiane Endler (Chile / Paris Saint-Germain / Olympique Lyon)
FIFA Puskas Award: Erik Lamela (Argentina) for his strike for Tottenham Hotspur against Arsenal [Premier League] (14 March 2021)
The Best FIFA Women's Coach: Emma Hayes (Chelsea Women)
Best FIFA Men's Coach: Thomas Tuchel (Paris Saint-Germain / Chelsea)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy / AC Milan / Paris Saint-Germain)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 defender: David Alaba (Austria / Bayern Munich / Real Madrid)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 defender: Ruben Dias (Portugal / Manchester City)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 defender: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy / Juventus)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 midfielder: Jorginho (Italy / Chelsea)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 midfielder: N'Golo Kante (France / Chelsea)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal / Juventus / Manchester United)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 forward: Erling Haaland (Norway / Borussia Dortmund)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 forward: Robert Lewandowski (Poland / Bayern Munich)
2021 FIFA FIFPro World 11 forward: Lionel Messi (Argentina / FC Barcelona / Paris Saint-Germain)
The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2021: Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern Munich)
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