Bayern striker Lewandowski questions Ballon d'Or selections

The Poland international insists that he places no importance on the awarding of individual prizes, with the final list often leaving him bemused

Robert Lewandowski places no importance on the Ballon d’Or, with the striker often “shocked” by the selection process.

Lewy 16/1 to be CL top scorer

Claiming the coveted award could be considered the pinnacle for most players, but a decade-long duopoly from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi has left most on the outside looking in.

Lewandowski falls into that category despite having been a prolific source of goals for , Bayern and down the years.

The 29-year-old says that the prize now barely registers on his radar – having made the 30-man shortlist once again for 2017 – with it difficult for him to understand the final lists.

“I wouldn't say it was that important to me,” Lewandowski told ESPN FC.

“Success at Bayern is more important, especially in the . If we reach the Champions League final and win the , we can speak again but the Ballon d'Or is never my focus.”

Lewandowski added on his Ballon d’Or frustrations: “I don't know why some players get 50th, 5th or 25th place.

“Only the first three places are important. That is why last year I was a little bit... how should I say... shocked.

“Because if you play for Bayern Munich and are playing Champions League semi finals and scoring a lot of goals in the Bundesliga and you're second top scorer in the Champions League... I don't know what place I was but it was a little bit funny - maybe funny is the right word.”

Lewandowski finished 16th in 2016, with talisman Ronaldo claiming the crown for a fourth time.

It may be that he improves on that standing 12 months on, but for now club issues are all that matter to a man who has already helped to fire his country to the 2018 World Cup.

Bayern have endured a testing start to the 2017-18 campaign and will return to domestic action under the guidance of a new boss, with Jupp Heynckes having replaced the ousted Carlo Ancelotti.

Lewandowski said on the club’s ambitions from this point: “Now there's a new season and a new challenge with the new trainer.

“Sometimes it's not so easy if you are at a club that changes trainer during the season. But we have to push on now.

“We are five points behind Dortmund, but there are a lot of games left until the end of the season.

“But in the Champions League, after our defeat at PSG, we have work to do to qualify. We have to play to the end.

“Who knows? Maybe we will win the Champions League and the Bundesliga.”