Is Robert Lewandowski 'the Novak Djokovic of football'? Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly compared to Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal
Updated 15/09/2025 at 14:59 GMT+1
What more could Robert Lewandowski have achieved in his career had he not grown up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi? The Polish great opened up on his relationship with Novak Djokovic when talking about how both of them have evolved alongside fellow greats of the game. Lewandowski also shared his thoughts on the Ballon d'Or award and whether he can still win it.
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Robert Lewandowski says spending his football life with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi "means he achieved more", as he discussed parallels with Novak Djokovic's career alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Lewandowski and Djokovic - as well as being friends - also share similarities not only in the way they shared their sporting stage with two other greats, but also in their incredible longevity and dedication to their craft that still sees them excelling at the elite level, aged 37 and 38, respectively.
Some fans of both athletes have speculated on how much more they could have won had they played in a different era, but Lewandowski says he and Djokovic have seen things a "different way".
"We are friends, we have met sometimes," Lewandowski said of Djokovic. "He’s a funny guy and we stay in touch.
"Also Djokovic is still playing at the top level at his age and works very hard to be where he is.
"I was in that time with Ronaldo and Messi and you can always say if they were not there in the last 15 years, maybe I could have won more.
"But I see it a different way and I think he sees it the same. My football life being with them means I achieved more."
'I won everything except Ballon d'Or'
One gong Lewandowski could have beaten Ronaldo and Messi to was the Ballon d'Or in 2020.
The Pole hit 55 goals to spearhead Bayern Munich's march to a memorable treble under Hansi Flick, including winning the UEFA Champions League.
But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ballon d'Or was not awarded that season, depriving Lewandowski of an award many thought would be his.
"I won everything in my life outside the Ballon d’Or," he said. "I believe I could win it but I can’t change it. I don’t have some feeling I would be a different footballer or man if I had this trophy.
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Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo during the UEFA Nations League 2024 League A Group A1 match between Poland and Portugal , at the PGE Narodowy in Warsaw, Poland, on October 12, 2024.
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"There are a lot of things around football, politics sometimes - I understand how it works.
"I’m not going to say ‘no, I don’t want it anymore’, I’m not this guy, but I’m not dreaming about this. It’s not like I cannot sleep thinking about Ballon d’Or."
Lewandowski, now entering his 22nd season as a professional, hit two more goals for Barcelona on Sunday night as they thrashed Valencia in La Liga.
Next for the Catalans is a trip to Newcastle United on Thursday night in the UEFA Champions League, available to watch and stream live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Watch and stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
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