The Polish striker – who was playing for Bayern Munich at the time – was hotly tipped to win the prestigious individual award that year after scoring 55 goals in all competitions but the ceremony ended up being scrapped due to the coronavirus pandemic, a decision that still puzzles him.

Lewandowski told BBC Sport: "I was in the best moment of my career, I won everything with my club.

"I think the difficult thing with that case is that until now, I don't know why.

"Nobody can understand the situation. It is like, part of the football or part of something, party politics."

Lewandowski has been included on the shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or after hitting 42 goals last season and hasn't given much thought about other players being tipped for the prize.

The Barcelona star said: "Seriously, I don't want to think about this, because for me it is a little bit funny.

"It is a little bit funny because you have so many players now that can be on the top list to win the Ballon d'Or."

Lewandowski's Barcelona team-mate Lamine Yamal is one of the top contenders for the award this year and the forward believes that it should be won by someone at the Catalan club after they wrested dominance in Spanish football back from Real Madrid last term.

He said: "I can speak about Lamine Yamal and how his season was incredible, but in the end, it depends on what is most important.

"He still has a lot of time, if not this year, maybe next year. Raphinha, he had an amazing season.

"We (Barcelona) have players who can be one of the favourites to win this kind of title."