News
Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski wins FIFA award as best men’s player
Robert Lewandowski won the biggest individual prize of his career Thursday, showing that a forward not named Messi or Ronaldo can be voted the world’s best soccer player.
The Poland captain was named the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2020 after his 55-goal season lifted Bayern Munich to a sweep of international and domestic trophies.
Lewandowski topped a three-player shortlist that included Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Voting was by a global jury of national team captains and coaches, plus selected journalists and fans. Lewandowski received 52 voting points, with Ronaldo second on 38 Messi third with 35.
Though FIFA hosted the virtual ceremony in Zurich, its president Gianni Infantino went to Munich to present the trophy in person.
“It’s an incredible feeling” said Lewandowski, who at age 32 made the shortlist for the first time.
Lewandowski joined Luka Modric, the Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder who won in 2018, as the only players in the past 13 years to deny both Messi and Ronaldo the victory.
“Today I am among them,” Lewandowski said in comments translated from German. “It means I’ve always done the right things in my life.”
Lucy Bronze was voted the best women’s player to give England its first individual victory at the FIFA awards. A Champions League winner with Lyon, she has since joined Manchester City.
Bronze got 52 points from the women’s voting jury. Pernille Harder, who helped Wolfsburg to the Champions League final, finished second with 40 points and Bronze’s former Lyon teammate Wendi Renard scored 35 points.
Lewandowski is also the first men’s winner from a club outside Spain since Ronaldo won the 2008 award as a Manchester United player.
A Bayern player had not won since FIFA created a world player award in 1991.
The club twice saw its stars relegated to third place by Messi and Ronaldo: Franck Ribéry in Bayern’s Champions League winning year of 2013, and Manuel Neuer one year later after Germany won the World Cup.
Jurgen Klopp, who coached Lewandowski at their former club Borussia Dortmund, denied Bayern a sweep of the FIFA men’s awards by being voted the best coach for a second straight year.
Klopp guided Liverpool to become champion of England for the first time in 30 years, and finished tied in votes with Hansi Flick, who took over at Bayern mid-season. Klopp won in the tiebreaker of most votes from national-team coaches. Marcelo Bielsa of English second-tier champion Leeds was third.
Sarina Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the 2019 World Cup final, was voted the best coach in women’s soccer ahead of Lyon’s Jean-Luc Vasseur and Emma Hayes of Chelsea. Wiegma will take over the England team next year.
Son Heung-min’s end-to-end dribble to score for Tottenham against Burnley won the Puskas Award for best goal.
Manchester United and England forward Marcus Rashford was honored for his campaign to fight child poverty. FIFA made a donation of $100,000 toward his charitable work.
Cricket
Sri Lanka U19 Women Shine with Third Straight Win in Tri-Series
Sri Lanka Under-19 Women continued their impressive run in the Tri-Series in Australia, securing their third consecutive victory with a commanding 35-run win over England in Match 8.
Batting first, Sri Lanka posted a modest total of 104 for 8 in their 20 overs. Despite early pressure, valuable contributions from V. Balasuriya, who scored a steady 34 off 40 balls, and S. Kavindi with 26 off 33 deliveries helped stabilize the innings. England’s bowling attack was led by E. Bristowe, who delivered an excellent spell, claiming 3 wickets for just 15 runs.
In response, England struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling unit. The innings was wrapped up in 16.3 overs, falling well short of the target. A. Oliver top-scored with 16 runs, while S. Patil added 12, but the rest of the lineup failed to make significant contributions.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers were outstanding, with V. Weerappuli taking 2 for 6, supported by strong performances from L. Thilakarathne and P. Methsara, who picked up key wickets to dismantle the opposition.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Name Strong Squad for Bangladesh Tour 2026
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a strong women’s squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh, with Chamari Athapaththu appointed as captain for both One Day Internationals (ODIs) and T20 Internationals (T20Is). The tour will feature three ODIs and three T20Is, providing valuable international exposure ahead of a busy season.

The ODI series is scheduled to be played in Rajshahi on April 20, 22, and 25, while the T20I matches will take place in Sylhet on April 28 and 30, and May 2.
The squad includes experienced players such as Hasini Perera, Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Nilakshika Silva, alongside promising talents like Kaveesha Dilhari and Sugandika Kumari. The selectors have also included emerging players such as Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunaratne, and Kaushini Nuthyangana to strengthen the lineup.
Notably, the ODI and T20I squads remain largely consistent, with a few changes including the inclusion of Rashmika Sewwandi, Mithali Ayodhya, and Nimesha Madushani for the shorter format.
ODI Squad:
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Hasini Perera, Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Piumi Wathsala, Kaveesha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, Kawya Kavindi, Chethana Vimukthi, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari
T20I Squad:
Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Hasini Perera, Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunaratne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Rashmika Sewwandi, Kaveesha Dilhari, Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Nimesha Madushani
Cricket
Dinesh Chandimal Joins Quetta Gladiators as Replacement for Bevon Jacobs in PSL Boost
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Chandimal is set to join the Quetta Gladiators, stepping in as a replacement for Bevon Jacobs, who has departed the squad to fulfill national team commitments. The experienced cricketer brings valuable international exposure and stability to the Gladiators as they prepare for the next phase of the Pakistan Super League.
Chandimal is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan shortly, with expectations high that he will integrate quickly into the team environment. His inclusion comes at a crucial time in the tournament, where consistency and depth in the batting lineup can make a significant difference.
Known for his composure under pressure and ability to anchor innings, Chandimal is likely to strengthen both the batting order and the wicketkeeping department. The Gladiators will be hoping his presence adds balance to the squad as they aim to improve their standing in the competition and push for a strong finish in the league.
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