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Why Pre-World Cup Friendlies Are Essential Yet Risky for National Teams.

Every four years, the FIFA World Cup captures the imagination of billions of football fans across the globe. It is the tournament where careers are defined, legends are created, and nations unite behind a common dream. While the spotlight ultimately shines on the matches that determine champions and heartbreaks, much of the groundwork for success takes place long before the opening whistle of the tournament itself. Among the most important elements of World Cup preparation are pre-tournament friendly matches, a seemingly simple aspect of international football that carries enormous significance. These games provide national team managers with invaluable opportunities to refine tactics, evaluate players, and build chemistry, yet they also introduce substantial risks that can threaten an entire World Cup campaign before it even begins. The paradox of pre-World Cup friendlies is one that every manager must confront. On one side lies the necessity of preparation. National teams do not have...
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Lewandowski dreams of a retroactive Ballon d'Or win.

Between 2020 and 2021, Robert Lewandowski had the most successful period of his career with FC Bayern. However, the Polish international did not win the Ballon d'Or. However, there are suspicions that the 2020 prize will be handed retrospectively. Lewandowski has not lost hope in this regard.

Even at the age of 35, Robert Lewandowski maintains an impressive goal-scoring record. This season, the Barça attacker has 20 goals and nine assists in 43 competitive appearances. However, the striker unquestionably had his best years at FC Bayern.

Lewandowski also sees it this way. He told Sport BILD that 2020 and 2021 were the best years of his career. A friend recently texted me this statistic: "I scored 100 goals in 85 games." In both years, the Pole was named FIFA World Player of the Year, but he was denied the Ballon d'Or.

Retrospective honor for Lewandowski? 

However, there are now suggestions that the 2020 prize may be handed retrospectively. Regardless of the delay, Lewandowski would be pleased with the honor. "Of course, I would have hoped to get the Ballon d'Or prize someday. I'm neither furious or sad since the trophy is still absent. But I believe it would have been my time in one of the two years."

The former Bayern Munich player went on to say, "I've heard there are rumors about a retrospective award for 2020." This year was fantastic for me; I was at my peak performance, and we won everything. Let's put it this way: if I were to win the Ballon d'Or 2020 four years later, I would not be offended; it would be a wonderful honour, and I would embrace the prize.

The prize was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus, but all associated competitions continued to take place. At the time, only the French Ligue 1 had concluded its season prematurely. That year, Lewandowski helped Bayern win the treble and was named the season's best player. 

 
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