In times of Messi and Ronaldo, Lewandowski is undervalued: Ruud Gullit | Football News – Times of India

Ruud Gullit knows how it feels to be officially named the best player in the world. The former Netherlands captain has been there before, in 1987, when he won the Ballon d’Or. Now 59 and a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, Gullit took questions from TOI and other select journalists on the best footballers on the planet.
Excerpts…
Robert Lewandowski has been nominated again for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. Has he now overtaken Lionel Messi as the number one footballer?
I think he has been very unlucky that he is playing in an era with (Cristiano) Ronaldo and Messi. He has been undervalued, a little bit. They didn’t notice him that much and that’s a pity because he has done a great job with Bayern (Munich), scoring so many goals. He has also been unlucky because Poland have not managed to win a major prize as a country. That would have given him more stature. That is the reason why he didn’t win the Ballon d’Or. He won the Best FIFA Men’s Player award, which was some sort of recognition.
Did Lewandowski deserve to win the Ballon d’Or? In Germany, everyone went crazy that he didn’t win. Some even felt he was cheated…
I understand the frustration. In my mind, I thought he won, so that came as a surprise. He’s not cheated. It’s just the opinion of a lot of journalists, footballers and coaches. Surely, it was a surprise. I am happy he won the FIFA award. I personally feel he’ rather win the Ballon d’or.
The race to win the Ballon d’or has been dominated by Ronaldo and Messi for a long time now. Is that rivalry good for the game, or is there a need for a different crop to emerge?
We should be very happy that these two are playing in this era. They are motivated by each other to do better. Are we going to see players who will be even better? It’s hard. I don’t know if that will happen. These two are freaks of nature. Different players, but fantastic. For other players who have done a great job, it will be difficult.
Kylian Mbappe has been making a lot of news, especially in a PSG team that many feel has the best attack with Neymar and Messi also there…
On paper, yes, PSG have the best attack, but I haven’t seen it! What I admire most is Mbappe. People are not happy with the fact that he wants to leave, and wants to go to Real Madrid, but he still provides them with the class that he has, and scores a lot of goals. For the young kid that he is, I admire a lot. I like Neymar as well. He’s a wonderful human being and a good player who has been important to all the teams he has played for. With PSG, Messi has not done the same things he has done with Barcelona. I hope he finds his mojo.
Can Mbappe become the best in the world?
Yes, he can. Considering the situation that he is in, he’s still playing well, scoring goals. He has the mental strength and I admire him for that. Technically, as a player, he is fantastic, but in his head this boy is amazing.
Mohamed Salah is impressive with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. Does he need to win this trophy to put himself further in the best player conversation?
That would help him. What he has shown till now in Europe is unbelievable. We were all surprised he didn’t make it to the best team (of the year). That was odd. In Europe, Africa Cup of Nations is still a tournament, that we don’t watch so much. I think it’s because of the fact that a lot of people are still frustrated that players are away (from clubs) during the tournament.