🏆 Ballon d'OneFootball: Star striker in 11th ... | OneFootball

Welcome to the fourth annual edition of the Ballon d’OneFootball as we continue our countdown of the top 25 players in the world right now. Here’s an explainer how we decided on a top 25.

Here’s the list so far.

And today we have …

11th: Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona and Poland

(Last year: 3rd)

Robert Lewandowski has enjoyed a brilliant, record-breaking debut season at Barcelona.

For the sixth-consecutive campaign of his career, the Poland international has finished top scorer in his respective league and fired his side to a domestic title.

Lewandowski signed for the Blaugrana last summer off the back of an extraordinarily successful eight-year stay at Bayern Munich.

But despite the endless goals and raft of trophies, questions remained as to whether the Poland international could replicate his Bundesliga form at a chaotic Barcelona.

Those questions were answered fairly seamlessly within the first few weeks of the season as Lewandowski netted 11 goals in his opening eight LaLiga matches.

As Xavi admitted to a press conference at the time, Lewandowski’s continued brilliance was exactly why he was brought to the club in the first place.

“I think he’s an extraordinary player,” the coach said. “He’s a natural leader and a born worker. He’s an example for the squad.

“What has surprised me is his human qualities. He is humble and the ultimate professional. We had no doubts about the other (sporting) qualities.”

No player in the history of the club had enjoyed such a good start to life at Camp Nou with the 34-year-old surpassing a record set by Romario for fastest to double figures.

As Xavi’s side built from their imperious defence, it was left to the Pole to find the goals and he did exactly that on a consistent basis.

In fact, Lewandowski never went more than three games without a goal in LaLiga and became the first player since Ronaldo in 1996 to score more than 30 goals in his debut season at Camp Nou.

The number of goals did tail off towards the end of the campaign but an ageing body, plus a World Cup ,all added to the sense that Lewandowski’s work was done by the close of the season.

It was that opening salvo and middle months that really ensured he beat Karim Benzema to the Pichchi title and helped the Catalan club regain the league trophy from Real Madrid.

A master of his craft, still at the top of his game.

Click here for every player named so far and their profiles.