By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- One of the biggest challenges for a FIFA president may be trying to travel in secret. This Thursday, Gianni Infantino experienced the disadvantages of being well known.
Late that afternoon, the 50-year-old Swiss was spotted at Munich airport while on his way to meet the 2020 World Footballer of the Year, Robert Lewandowski.
Some hours in advance of presenting FIFA's trophy to this season's best, the tabloid Bild reported what was meant to be kept away from the public's eyes and ears until the evening. The traditional Ballon d'Or was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski became the first Bundesliga player to win the trophy, beating rivals such as Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus).
While most German fans knew the result in advance, it was the 32-year-old Pole's smile announcing the surprise to the rest of the TV audience. As Infantino opened the door, having reached his target area, a broad smile emerged on the striker's face.
Bayern's Manuel Neuer and Liverpool's Juergen Klopp won the trophy for the best goalkeeper and coach respectively. Klopp's award came as a surprise for most German fans, as Flick had won five trophies last season, including the UEFA Champions League.
Other than in Flick's case, there was no way around Lewandowski. The Bavarians' striker had an outstanding year as top scorer in three competitions; the Champions League, the Bundesliga, and the German Cup.
"It's a great day for me and my teammates. This trophy belongs to the entire team," he said, adding how overwhelmed he was.
"I am happy to be among the last three aside of great performers such as Ronaldo and Messi," he emphasized, adding that it was very special to win the trophy while Ronaldo and Messi are still around.
Five years after he set a record by scoring five goals in nine minutes in a Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg, Infantino officially announced him as the best player.
To win the 2020 UEFA Champions League with 15 goals might have helped the Pole finish first. But Lewandowski simultaneously deserved to reach the top due to his development into a team player beyond his goalscoring duties.
"To keep a certain amount of egoism remains important for a striker. But times have changed, and you have to try to be complete," Bayern's number 9 said.
German record international Lothar Matthaeus called him "the most complete player in world football. Being the top scorer in all competitions tells the story, aside of him having developed further despite already being a stunning striker."
Matthaeus won the FIFA footballer of the year competition in 1990 while playing for Inter Milan.
For years Lewandowski had been one of football's most successful strikers, but failed to win one of the big club competitions. In 2013, he lost the Champions League final against Bayern in Borussia Dortmund's shirt.
In the end, Lewandowski's story is the story of great tenacity. In his early years, the forward was regarded as not robust enough to make it in professional football.
"Today, I would tell my former self: no matter where you come from, no matter who you are, you can reach the top," the attacker said. Enditem
