Robert Lewandowski beats Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to lift Fifa's 'The Best' player award - in pictures

Bayern Munich forward rewarded for stellar year

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski receives the the men's player of the year trophy from Gianni Infantino during Fifa The BEST Awards ceremony in Munich. Getty

Robert Lewandowski was named player of the year at Fifa's The BEST Awards ceremony. Getty

MUNICH, GERMANY - DECEMBER 17: Robert Lewandowski of FC Bayern Muenchen poses after being awarded as FIFA Men's Player 2020 during the FIFA The BEST Awards ceremony on December 17, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Pool/Marco Donato-FC Bayern/Pool via Getty Images)

Robert Lewandowski, top scorer in Europe and winner of the Champions League with Bayern Munich, emerged as the best player of the season. AFP

Bayern Munich's Polish forward Robert Lewandowski was named men's player of the year at Fifa's 'The Best' awards ceremony in Zurich. AFP

Robert Lewandowski came out ahead of the other two nominees, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, at Fifa's 'The Best' awards ceremony. AFP

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich was named goalkeeper of 2020 at Fifa's 'The Best' awards. Getty

Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp smiles after being named men's coach of the year during Fifa's 'The Best' awards ceremony in Zurich on Thursday. AP

England's Lucy Bronze was named the best women's player. AP

Lucy Bronze, centre, won the Champions League with Lyon in August. She has since joined Manchester City. AFP

Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski was named the men's player of the year on Thursday at Fifa's 'The Best' awards ceremony, overcoming competition from last year's winner Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Lewandowski, who won the German league and cup double as well as the Champions League with Bayern, finished as top scorer in all three competitions and won the award for the first time.

The 32-year-old also led Poland to Euro 2020 qualification and was named the 2019/20 Uefa men's player of the year in October.

"To win such an award and share this title with [previous winners] Messi and Ronaldo, is unbelievable and means so much to me," Lewandowski said.

"I am very proud and happy. This is a great day for me, and also for my club and colleagues.

"This award also belongs to my colleagues, the coach and Bayern in general. It is an incredible feeling, a lot of emotions."

Manchester City full back Lucy Bronze won the women’s best player award, becoming the first female English player to take the prize.

"I don’t have the words right now to explain how I’m feeling," Bronze said.

"If there’s anything 2020 has taught us to appreciate every moment you’ve got, not look too far ahead and live in the here and now.

"I appreciate it more than ever. I’ll remember this moment forever, for the rest of my life."

A Champions League winner with Lyon, she has since joined City.

Elsewhere, in the men’s categories, Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp was named the best men's manager for the second successive year after guiding Liverpool to a first Premier League title in 30 years. Lewandowski's Bayern team mate Manuel Neuer was named 'The Best' men's goalkeeper.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min won the Puskas Award for goal of the year for his individual strike in a Premier League game against Burnley last December.