5 players with the best goals per game ratio in 2021

#3 Lionel Messi (Argentina/Paris Saint-Germain) - 0.80 goals per game

Paris Saint Germain v Lille OSC - Ligue 1 Uber Eats

It took a while for Lionel Messi to hit his stride in the 2020-21 season. But he kicked into gear at the turn of the year and was Barcelona's best player by a country mile last term. He won the Pichichi trophy for scoring 30 goals in 35 La Liga appearances last term.

Messi then went onto pick up the Golden Boot and the Best Player Award at Copa America 2021. The 34-year-old scored four goals and provided five assists as he lavishly contributed to La Albiceleste's continental triumph.

Messi has since slowed down a bit at his new club. He is yet to score in Ligue 1 after joining PSG in the summer. But even then, Messi's numbers make for impressive reading. In 2021, he has scored 40 goals in 50 appearances for both club and country. He has a goals per game ratio of 0.80.

#2 Erling Haaland (Norway/Borussia Dortmund) - 0.96 goals per game

AFC Ajax v Borussia Dortmund: Group C - UEFA Champions League

Borussia Dortmund's goalscoring machine Erling Haaland just turned 21 this summer. But he is already one of the best strikers on the planet and is the most sought-after marksman in the world right now.

Haaland's pace, athleticism and movement have earned him the nickname 'The Terminator'. His off-the-ball work is brilliant and his ability to get a shot away even in the most difficult situations is simply extraordinary.

Haaland is another player whose lack of major trophies will see him finish well outside the Ballon d'Or podium. But he still managed to register mind-boggling numbers this year.

In 2021, Haaland has scored 43 goals in 45 games at a rate of 0.96 goals per game.

#1 Robert Lewandowski (Poland/Bayern Munich) - 1.17 goals per game

FC Bayern München v SL Benfica: Group E - UEFA Champions League

In the 2020-21 season, Robert Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller's record of most goals scored (40) in a single Bundesliga season by netting 41 in just 29 appearances. The Bayern Munich striker is the most prolific striker in the world right now.

He has been an elite striker for the majority of the last decade but over the past few years, Lewandowski has established himself as one of the greatest of all time. The Polish international is hard to contain as he is as technically adept as he is intelligent.

Lewandowski is justified in feeling robbed off the Ballon d'Or in 2020 as the award was canceled in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. But he has a strong claim this year as well. In 2021, Lewandowski has scored 54 goals in 46 appearances for both club and country at 1.17 goals per game.