Robert Lewandowski's blunt response to Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate

Robert Lewandowski believes he is the world's best player - after giving a bullish response to the Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi debate.

The Bayern Munich striker finished second in the 2021 Ballon d'Or award as Argentine icon Messi claimed his seventh of the most coveted individual prize.

Many feel Lewandowski has been desperately unfortunate not to claim the Ballon d'Or for his extraordinary goalscoring efforts in Germany.

The Poland striker looked a certainty to claim the golden ball in 2020 before last year's edition was abandoned due to the pandemic.

And a stunning calendar year of 69 goals and two trophies in Germany was not enough to usurp Copa America winner Messi to secure the ultimate prize this year.

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The 33-year-old is widely considered the best striker in world football and scored nine goals in the Champions League group stages alone this term.

He has opened up on his Ballon d'Or heartbreak after missing out on the award, but gave a blunt answer when asked to weigh in on the perennial debate around Messi and Ronaldo.

"I choose Lewandowski," he told Expo Dubai.

Messi's seventh Ballon d'Or opened up a gap on Ronaldo, who has been named the best player in the world on five occasions.

But Lewandowski does not think he could have done anymore to break the legendary pair's dominance in claiming the award.

"I've had so many questions about the Ballon d'Or,' he added. "Last year they cancelled it, I couldn't go, I won everything I could win.

"This year I scored 69 goals in one season so you know…

"I did everything that I could do, because in the Champions League against PSG I was injured, I couldn't play.

"But with my performance, with myself, if I stand in front of the mirror I can say to myself "you did everything that you can, you scored 69 goals, you won the German league and you can be proud of yourself.

"I respect other players because they are great players but I know that for me it's important to be myself and think always positively."

Lewandowski continues to plunder goals for Bayern this season, and has so far netted 19 Bundesliga goals in just 17 games.

He has 30 goals in total for the German champions this season, who are on course for further domestic success.

Messi, meanwhile, has found the net just six times since leaving Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo has scored 13 times for Manchester United since his sensational return to Old Trafford.