Gary Lineker agrees with Lionel Messi on Robert Lewandowski's Ballon d'Or snub

Gary Lineker has echoed Lionel Messi's plea for Robert Lewandowski to be presented with the 2020 Ballon d'Or.

The Bayern Munich striker, 33, was denied the chance to win the award for the first time after last year's ceremony was cancelled by organisers France Football due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Lewandowski was a huge favourite to claim the coveted individual honour after plundering 47 goals in 2020 for club and country.

The Poland international also won the continental treble of the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League during an astonishing 2019/20 season with Bayern.

These achievements saw Lewandowski crowned Best FIFA Men's Player for 2020, but many fans feel it was an in injustice he was not handed the Ballon d'Or in the same year.

Should France Football retrospectively award Robert Lewandowski the 2020 Ballon d'Or? Have your say in the comments.

Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or during a glamorous ceremony in Paris' Theatre du Chatelet on Monday night and he paid tribute to his European rival during his acceptance speech.

"Robert, you deserve your Ballon d'Or," the Paris Saint-Germain forward said. "Last year, everyone was in agreement to say that you were the big winner of this award."

England hero Lineker, the runner-up in the 1986 Ballon d'Or, quickly took to Twitter to urge France Football to retrospectively present Lewandowski with the award for 2020.

The Match of the Day host wrote: "I think last year's 2020 Ballon d'Or should be retrospectively given to Robert Lewandowksi. He deserved to win it. He deserves to have one."

In a separate tweet, Lineker added: "Messi agrees. Messi's right. Give Robert Lewandowski the award. Such an easy thing to do, and the right thing to do."

The former Leicester City and Everton striker also paid tribute to Barcelona legend for winning his record seventh award, writing: "It's a magnificent seven. Congratulations to Lionel Messi on winning yet another Ballon d'Or.

"A truly extraordinary footballer and an absolute credit to the sport both on and off the pitch."

Meanwhile, PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said: "I would like to warmly congratulate Leo. The club is immensely proud that one of our players has won this most prestigious and coveted title.

"Leo is making football history once again. Along with all our supporters around the world, we are delighted to be able to enjoy one of most iconic footballers of all time in the Rouge & Bleu shirt."

Messi's Ballon d'Or triumph adds to 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2019 victories.