Lionel Messi's tribute to him at last week's Ballon d'Or event left Robert Lewandowski unsatisfied, with the Bayern Munich star dismissing Messi's remarks as "empty words."
Messi, 34, controversially taunted Lewandowski, 33, about winning the prize in 2021, with many fans and analysts thinking that the Polish marksman deserved it more.
The Bayern Munich striker was the best performance in 2020, but he was brutally denied the Ballon d'Or because to Covid's cancellation.
Messi in his words admitted that Lewandowski deserved the 2020 honor in his acceptance speech, and urged event organizers France Football to present the Pole with the award thereafter.
In his (Messi) words, "Robert, your Ballon d'Or is well deserved. "Everyone thought you were the great winner of this award last year," he remarked.
The 33-year-old, on the other hand, was underwhelmed by Messi's remarks, describing them as "empty words" and arguing that a symbolic prize is irrelevant to him.
"I'm not very enthusiastic about winning the prize in 2020," Lewandowski told Kanale Sportowym via Marca. 'I'd love it if' [Messi's 2020 Ballon d'Or statement] was a sincere and gracious statement from a great player, rather than just hollow words."
"I felt sad," Lewandowski remarked in response to last week's near-miss. 'It's impossible for me to deny.' On the contrary, I wasn't pleased. I'm sad. Of course, being so close to Messi and competing against him has taught me to admire his game and accomplishments.
"The fact that I could compete with him indicates the level to which I could progress."
Since the start of the 2019-20 season, Lewandowski has 130 goals in 108 games, and his lack of a championship trophy will act as inspiration.
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