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BUNDESLIGA

Robert Lewandowski has to win Ballon d'Or – Nagelsmann

Robert Lewandowski has seven goals in seven Bundesliga games this season, and Julian Nagelsmann says he can be a force for years to come.

Robert Lewandowski has to win Ballon d'Or – Nagelsmann
AFP via Getty Images

Julian Nagelsmann fired a warning to defences across Europe by claiming Robert Lewandowski has a long time left at the top level – insisting the Ballon d'Or should come his way this year.

Although Bayern Munich striker Lewandowski turned 33 in August, there is no indication age is catching up with the Poland international.

His record haul of 41 Bundesliga goals last season came at a rate of one every 60.07 minutes.

05 October 2021, Poland, Warsaw: Poland's Robert Lewandowski in action during a training session of the Polish national football team ahead of Saturday's FIFA 2022 World Cup European Qualifier Group I soccer match against San Marin.
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05 October 2021, Poland, Warsaw: Poland's Robert Lewandowski in action during a training session of the Polish national football team ahead of Saturday's FIFA 2022 World Cup European Qualifier Group I soccer match against San Marin.DPA vía Europa Press

That was the fastest rate of scoring across a campaign, in terms of minutes per goal, for any player with 10 or more goals in a Bundesliga season since the league was founded in 1963.

After missing out on Ballon d'Or recognition last year, when the award was cancelled due to the pandemic's impact on the global game, there is little doubt Lewandowski is a serious contender this time.

Bayern did not match up to their 2019-20 treble-winning feats, but they carried off a ninth consecutive Bundesliga title and Lewandowski was their spearhead.

"He deserves the Ballon d'Or – and in my opinion he has to win the award, because he has played more consistently than anyone else over the past three years," Bayern head coach Nagelsmann said.

Speaking to Munich newspaper Abendzeitung, Nagelsmann predicted Lewandowski would continue to thrive at the highest level into his late thirties.

"If Robert Lewandowski's body stays like this, it is far from over," said Nagelsmann.

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich during the German championship Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt on October 3, 2021 at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany -
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Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich during the German championship Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt on October 3, 2021 at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany -AFP7 vía Europa Press

"He is extremely dynamic, has no injuries, he can train a lot: I definitely trust him to play at the top, top level for a few more years – also because he aligns everything in his life accordingly, to be in the best physical condition."

Relentless Lewandowski

In Bayern's triumphant 2019-20 Champions League campaign, Lewandowski netted 15 times, scoring on average once every 59.13 minutes. This term, he has four goals already in that competition from just 169 minutes on the pitch.

Lewandowski has said it "would mean a lot" to scoop the individual honour, and after being shortlisted his chief rival appears to be six-time winner Lionel Messi, who helped Argentina to Copa America glory.

Nagelsmann, meanwhile, is sitting tight when it comes to the future of Bayern defender Niklas Sule, whose contract expires at the end of this season.

Sule has been linked with Chelsea and Newcastle United, and Nagelsmann is taking a wait-and-see approach to what comes next for the Germany international.

"It depends on his development and also on the market situation whether he wants to extend the contract or not," Nagelsmann said. "Then we'll see if it works for both sides.

"Niki still has to develop a little with his potential and then make the most of it as a very good central defender."