Fifa Best 2021 LIVE: Robert Lewandowski wins men’s player of the year as Alexia Putellas scoops women’s prize
Live updates, nominees and winners from Fifa’s top awards ceremony
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski won the men’s player award for the second year running.
The 33-year-old Poland international set a new record for most Bundesliga goals in a calendar year with his 43rd goal in December, breaking the record set by Gerd Muller in 1972. Lewandowski, winner of the men’s award in 2020, also became the first player in Bundesliga history to finish top scorer in four consecutive seasons.
Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas was named women’s player of the year, adding the accolade to her Ballon d’Or triumph. Putellas, 27, captained Barcelona to the treble, with the Catalan side winning the Women’s Champions League, Spanish league and Copa de la Reina last term.
Follow for live updates and reaction from the ceremony:
Fifa Best awards - Denmark and Finland fans win Fifa fans award
Julio Cesar presented the Fifa fans award.
Denmark and Finland fans, German football fans and Imogen Papworth-Heidel were all shortlisted.
Denmark and Finland fans have won for their actions during Christen Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
Fifa Best awards - Thomas Tuchel wins men’s coach
Arsene Wenger presented the Best men’s coach award.
Man City’s Pep Guardiola, Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel and Italy’s Roberto Mancini were shortlisted for the award.
It’s a double for Chelsea! Tuchel won the Champions League with the Blues last season.
“I’m overwhelmed. I feel a bit uncomfortable actually,” he said. “I enjoy the journey and the club. It’s a good fit. The company on the journey is good and I’m grateful to have such good people around me.
“I’m a huge admirer of Wenger’s work.”
Fifa Best award - Emma Hayes wins women’s coach
Jill Ellis came via video link to present the award for the best women’s coach.
Barcelona’s Lluís Cortés, Chelsea’s Emma Hayes and England’s Sarina Wiegman were all shortlisted.
Emma Hayes looks visibly shocked! Chelsea won the domestic treble last season.
“Honestly I’m not usually stunned! The fantastic people that represent my work, ultimately a coach is only as good as the people around them.
“Everybody in the country [England] are building towards this moment [Euro 2022]. Let’s hope the crowds are big.”
Fifa Best awards - Denmark’s medical team and players win Fair Play award
Fatma Samoura presented the Fifa Fair Play award.
Denmark’s medical team and players have been nominated for their action for Christian Eriksen.
Scott Brown was nominated for embracing Kamara and Claudio Ranieri was nominated for telling his team to perform a guard of honour.
“It’s a great honour for me to stand here and receive this award. We are a big family and we were standing together for the whole nation.”
Fifa Best awards - Lamela wins the Puskas award
Yaya Toure presented the Puskas award.
Erik Lamela (Arsenal vs Tottenham, Premier League March 2021), Patrik Schick (Czech Republic vs Scotland, Euro 2020 June 2021), Mehdi Taremi (Chelsea vs FC Porto, Champions League April 2021) were shortlisted.
Lamela won and said: “Honestly in that moment I didn’t think too much. I didn’t really how special the goal was.
“To be fair I never practice this shot during training. It comes in a second, finding the best way to shoot.”
Fifa Best awards - Edouard Mendy wins best men’s goalkeeper
Pete Schmeichel presented the men’s goalkeeper award.
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Edouard Mendy and Manuel Neuer were all shortlisted.
A technical issue means he can’t join via video link.
Mendy won the Champions League with Chelsea and is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
“The influence he has had in this team is absolutely fantastic,” Schmeichel said.
Fifa Best awards - Christiane Endler wins best women’s goalkeeper
Fara Williams, England’s most capped player with 172, presented women’s goalkeeper.
Ann-Katrin Berger, Stephanie Labbe and Christiane Endler were all shortlisted.
Christiane Endler won the award and she has become the first South American winner of the gong. The Chilean has been nominated three times and it’s the first time she has received it.
“I want to win the Champions League with Lyon. That’s my dream and I hope we can do it this year,” she said.
“Third time lucky!”
Fifa Best awards - Sinclair wins Fifa Best Special Award
Sinclair broke the record for the most international goals with her 185th scored, she now has 188. In 2021 she also helped Canada win gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
“To be able to inspire young girls to pursue their dreams is pretty cool,” she said.
“I would like to take this time to thank Fifa for this recognition. I’d like to acknowledge my family.
“For my parents constant support, my brother for tolerating me! I’ve always wanted to be him.
“What truly matters most is the experiences I have had. To all my teammates and staff members along the way.
“The thing I’m most proud of was being in the sport where their was limited support to now. I want to say women’s football, female athletes, have often been an after thought and my goal now is to continue the fight.”
Fifa Best awards
The ceremony has started in a tribute to fans as they were welcomed back into stadiums following the pandemic restrictions.
The highlights reel is quite emotional!
Gianni Infantino has also been welcomed to the stage.
He said: “First of all let me take a few seconds to welcome everyone. Welcome to the home of Fifa here at in the beautiful city of Zurich.
“I really hope it’s the last time the Best award event is organised online. Next year we hope to do it again in person.
“We have all been suffering over the last two years but it’s important the ball is rolling. It’s important to know health comes first but football is there to bring joy.”
We are starting with a celebration of Canada’s Christine Sinclair, the player with the most international goals.
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