He had shown nothing of his pain, of his bitterness.
On the contrary.
Last week, during the Ballon d'Or trophy ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, Robert Lewandowski appeared smiling, relaxed, sitting next to Lionel Messi.
It was obviously only a facade smile.
Bayern Munich number 9 told it a few days ago in an interview with Polish media Sportowym.
And the Polish bomber, a real machine, piling up goals and records for two seasons, has this time hid nothing of his feelings.
Revealing in particular that he had experienced a big slack after this ceremony.
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“I felt sadness, I can't deny it, explained the Argentinian runner-up this year at the Ballon d'Or. I can't say I was happy, on the contrary. I have a feeling of helplessness. To be so close, to compete with Lionel Messi… Of course I respect the way he plays and what he has achieved. Just competing with him shows me the level I have reached. But in reality, I felt sad. It was good that after the ceremony we didn't have a game during the week. "
As effective in front of goal as in front of the microphone, Lewandowski, 33, notably returned to Messi's speech.
The latter had asked that the trophy for the year 2020 - canceled due to the health situation - be given to the Pole.
The sevenfold Ballon d'Or then declared: "You deserved it last year, I hope they will give it to you".
Words that the Munich resident hopes "sincere".
"I hope he was sincere and that it was not empty words," he replied to the media.
Without the pandemic, Lewandowski was a huge favorite for obtaining the Ballon d'Or 2020. His second place for 2021 behind the Argentinian had also caused a beginning of controversy as the Pole was impressed with realism. and consistency against opposing goals.
Author of a double last weekend on the lawn of Borussia Dortmund (2-3), Lewandowski showed that he had however digested his disappointment and found his hunger for goals.
It's already his 40th goal in just 31 Bundesliga games this year, his 16th for the current season.
Unbeaten with Bayern in the group stage of the Champions League, he will try to continue his series against Barcelona on Wednesday.
