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2021 is soon coming to an end and it has been a year to remember for many reasons. Italy winning Euro 2020, Argentina winning the Copa America, and Lionel Messi winning the Ballon d'Or have been some memorable moments of the year.
In the process, a lot of goals have been scored and kept us thoroughly entertained. This year has seen known goalscorers continue with their business, while there have been some new names who have surprised many.
Top-quality finishers have scored plenty of goals in 2021
With a plethora of goals scored in 2021, there have been some stunning performances in front of goal. It is surprising when a player like Harry Kane, who is normally present on this list, misses out in this case.
This speaks volumes of how crazy the year has been and how challenging it has been to be consistently among goals. Without further ado, let's take a look at the top goalscorers in 2021.
Note: All stats are as per Transfermarkt
#10 Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco)
Wissam Ben Yedder spent the early days of his career in France before his breakthrough with Toulose in Ligue 1. Thereafter, the French striker spent three seasons in Spain before joining AS Monaco in 2019.
The 31-year old has been a regular figure for Monaco and a very productive one in front of goal. With his clinical abilities and smart positioning, Wissam Ben Yedder has managed to score 30 goals in 2021. He has started the 2021-22 campaign on a good note, scoring 10 goals in just 13 starts in Ligue 1.
#9 Gerard Moreno (Villarreal)
It has been a year to remember for Gerard Moreno as he successfully helped Villarreal win the Europa League in the 2020-21 season. He ended up joint top-scorer in the tournament, scoring seven goals in 12 appearances.
The left-footed forward has been consistent in front of goal and a very reliable figure for Unai Emery. Despite struggling with injury in the 2021-22 season, he has six Ligue 1 goals to his name in nine appearances. Gerard Moreno has scored 32 goals in 2021, making it a memorable one for him.
#8 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
2021 marks a monumental year in the history of Manchester United as Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford. The Portuguese was desperately awaited by United fans and the dream has come true this year.
Cristiano Ronaldo had a good time at Juventus in the 2020-21 season, as he ended up as Serie A's top goalscorer with 29 goals. At Manchester United, he has been equally impressive and is currently their top scorer with seven goals in the Premier League. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 42 goals in 2021 at the age of 36, which is a phenomenal achievement.
#7 Lionel Messi (Paris Saint-Germain)
It is surprising to see Lionel Messi this far down the list but that is how 2021 has been. The Argentine had an eventful year, winning the Copa Del Rey, his seventh Ballon d'Or and his first Copa America trophy with Argentina.
This year also saw him leave Barcelona against all odds and join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window. Since then, Lionel Messi has struggled a bit to register goals but nonetheless, he has been an amazing goalscorer this year. The Argentine has scored 43 goals in 2021, winning three trophies in the process.
#6 Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina)
Dusan Vlahovic is a new entry in the list as the Serbian has impressed many with his superb performances for Fiorentina. The 21-year old has been absolutely wonderful with his clinical and precise finishing.
The tall striker has already found the net 16 times this season in Serie A in just 19 appearances in the 2021-22 season. This takes his total tally for the year to 39 goals. It comes as no surprise why top European teams are keeping an eye on Dusan Vlahovic for next summer.
#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Mohamed Salah has been in terrific form for Liverpool ever since he joined them in 2017. The Egyptian winger has been very deadly going forward using his mind-boggling dribbling and goal-scoring abilities.
Last season, Salah scored 22 Premier League goals in 37 games. He has already registered 15 goals to his name in just 18 league appearances this season. The left-footed forward has been brutal in attack and very difficult to defend.
Mohamed Salah has scored 37 goals in 2021 and it is likely that he will score more next year given his current form.
#4 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus in 2018, Karim Benzema has made sure that goals come for Real Madrid at regular intervals. The French striker has been very efficient in front of goal with all his experience and fantastic technique on the ball.
Despite Madrid not being at their best in 2021, Karim Benzema has continued to be among the goals. He already has 20 goals to his name this season in just 23 appearances across all competitions. The 34-year old has scored 47 goals in 2021, proving his effectiveness in front of goal once again.
#3 Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)
Kylian Mbappe has been a gem of a signing for Paris Saint-Germain ever since he joined them in 2017. Last season, the Frenchman ended up scoring 42 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions.
He's just 23 years old and has already been compared to some of the best players in the world. With the quick pace and amazing attacking abilities he possesses, Kylian Mbappe is one of the best youngsters in the world right now. The French forward has been heavily linked with Real Madrid and it is understandable why.
On his day, he can be a monstrous goal-scorer and demolish the opposition with utter ease. Kylian Mbappe scored 45 goals in 53 appearances in 2021 and also won the UEFA Nations League with France.
#2 Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund)
Very few youngsters in the world are as tremendously talented as Erling Haaland is. The Norwegian is certainly a special player with his phenomenal goal-scoring abilities.
The left-footed striker is wonderful with his attacking runs, positioning in the box and with his world-class finishing. Erling Haaland had an amazing 2020-21 season as he scored 41 goals in 41 matches. He ended up as the top scorer in the Champions League last season with 10 goals.
Erling Haaland has had a great 2021-22 season so far, scoring 19 goals in 16 appearances across all competitions so far. He has scored 48 goals in 2021, ending up second in the list of highest goal-scorers for the calendar year.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
It still feels surprising how Robert Lewandowski has still not managed to win a Ballon d'Or in his career. The Polish striker has been wonderful for Bayern Munich for a long time now.
His attacking instincts, smart positioning, superb close-control of the ball and terrific finishing skills make Robert Lewandowski a phenomenal striker. The Polishman scored 48 goals in 40 appearances last season in all competitions for Bayern Munich.
Robert Lewandowski has been amazing in the 2021-22 season as well, scoring 30 goals in 25 matches across all competitions. He has been a goal-scoring machine for the Bavarian club, scoring 56 goals in 2021, and 69 overall for club and country. Hopefully next year, the 33-year old gets to win the Ballon d'Or, which would be more than rightfully deserved.
