INTERNATIONAL: Bayern Munich's Polish striker Robert Lewandowski won the FIFA Best Men's Player award for 2021 with Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas winning the FIFA Best Women's Player prize at Monday's January 17 ceremony.

The prolific Lewandowski won the award for the second straight year after a season in which he beat Gerd Mueller's 49-year old record of 40 goals in a single Bundesliga campaign.

The 27-year-old Putellas was at the heart of the Barcelona women's team which won the Spanish league and the UEFA Champions League.

She says, she is thanking all her team mates. And she also wants to congratulate them, the award is not only for her but for all of them. Without a doubt, she has said, that they will keep up the same motivation or even more this year. And she is hoping to have great success again.

Chelsea won both the awards for best coach, with Thomas Tuchel winning the men's award and Emma Hayes named the best women's coach.

Tuchel had guided Chelsea to the Champions League title after taking over the club in January while Hayes won the Women's Super League, FA Cup and League Cup treble in England.

^{PHOTO:  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FIFA BEST AWARDS WITH ROBERT LEWANDOSKI NAMED MEN'S PLAYER OF 2021 AND ALEXIA PUTELLAS WINNING WOMEN'S PLAYER OF 2021}