Lewandowski is ready for Haaland's challenge after receiving the Gerd Müller trophy

Robert Lewandowski won the Gerd Müller Cup last season with 57 goals for club and country and will not give up his challenge to Erling Haaland in the 2022-23 campaign.

Lewandowski was awarded France Football's award for world football's leading player for the second consecutive year on Monday, ahead of Karim Benzema's first Ballon d'Or.

The award - previously the striker of the year - went to the legendary Bayern Munich striker Müller, whose Bundesliga record of 40 goals led Lewandowski to the trophy.

But if the Barcelona man is to hold the award again in 2023, Manchester City goalscorer Haaland will have to surpass him.

City's number nine has scored 20 goals for the club and has scored once for the Norwegian this season.

Meanwhile, Lewandowski, the fourth best player in the Ballon d'Or rankings, has 14 for Barca and 7 for Poland.

The 34-year-old was asked about Haaland as he lifted the Muller trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, with Didier Drogba speaking to him about "this kid" from a city that was "on fire".

Lewandowski: "This season is long, I know it's a new chapter for me and Barcelona. I've felt good in this club since the first day.

"From the first minute, I saw with my teammates that we had good chances and we had the chance to score many goals. I believe that we all work together in this direction.

"This is football, we always have to be ready. I know the next generation will come, but I'm still here."

Reflecting on his achievement, Lewandowski said: "I am happy and happy and proud not only to win, but also because of this cup title. It is a big inspiration.

"Before the season I wanted to get closer to him and I always wanted to break some of his records. It's always a big challenge.

"It was exciting to score 41 goals in the Bundesliga because I didn't think I could break that record. Everything I did was for him."

Although Haaland's offer will have to wait another year, City have not been thrown out since scoring 42 times for Borussia Dortmund and Norway.

The Premier League champions beat Champions League finalists Liverpool and Real Madrid to the Club of the Year award.

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