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#3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
Juventus had one of their worst seasons in a decade in 2020-21 under Andrea Pirlo. It was not entirely the manager's fault. Their midfielders underperformed and several players were unavailable through injury for large parts of the season. They still won the Coppa Italia and qualified for the Champions League on the last day of the season.
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The 2020-21 season could have been a whole lot worse for the Bianconeri if they didn't have a certain Cristiano Ronaldo on their payroll. Ronaldo scored 36 goals and provided four assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for the Old Lady. He beat Romelu Lukaku to the Serie A Golden Boot by a margin of five goals.
Ronaldo is 36-years-old and it is incredible that he is producing such numbers given how he has dominated world football for more than a decade. He is one of the strongest weapons in Portugal's arsenal as they head into Euro 2020.
He has certainly lost a yard of pace. But Ronaldo has worked on other aspects of his game, including finishing and movement inside the box to remain among the very best in the business.
#2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Given the tough circumstances under which the 2020-21 season started for Lionel Messi, he would have been excused if he had an underwhelming season. The legendary Barcelona forward had been denied an exit from the club despite making it clear he wanted to leave.
His close friend and teammate Suarez joined title rivals Atletico Madrid and Messi was at odds with then Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
He did take a while to hit his stride. But following the turn of the year, there was just no stopping Messi. He dragged Barcelona back into the La Liga title race and led from the front in their Copa Del Rey triumph. He also won the La Liga Golden Boot.
Messi, now 33, scored 38 goals and provided 14 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for the Catalans in the 2020-21 season. Fans will be hoping that Messi can finally put an end to his trophy drought with Argentina to rest in the upcoming Copa America.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert 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. He scored 55 goals and provided 10 assists in 47 appearances across all competitions for the Bavarians in the 2019-20 season.
At the age of 32, he was able to replicate similar form this season. Lewandowski scored 48 goals and provided nine assists in 40 appearances for Bayern Munich across all competitions this term. He is inarguably the best striker in the world right now and is the recipient of the European Golden Shoe for the 2020-21 season.
The Polish international is one of the most well-rounded forwards we have seen in the modern era. He possesses all the attributes one has come to expect of a traditional number nine. Lewandowski is excellent at aerial duels, can shoot well with both feet, has pace and is excellent with the ball at his feet.
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