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#3 Cristiano Ronaldo | Serie A (29 goals)
Cristiano Ronaldo created history once again as he became the only player to finish as the top scorer in three of Europe’s major domestic leagues.
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Juventus lost their near decade-long Serie A stranglehold, with controversies on and off the pitch. But Ronaldo propelled the Bianconeri to a Champions League spot, scoring a league-leading 29 goals in 33 games to win his first Capocannonieri award in his third attempt.
The Portuguese registered a goal every 97 minutes in the 2020-21 Serie A season and a goal every 104 minutes across all competitions.
Even at 36, Cristiano Ronaldo is showing no signs of slowing down, as he recorded a direct involvement of 40 goals (36 goals, four assists) in 44 games in all competitions this season.
The five-time Ballon D’Or winner was involved in 40% of Juventus' Serie A goals this term, having played in 82% of the Bianconeri’s Serie A minutes. Moreover, Ronaldo played a direct role in one out of every three goals Juventus scored in their disappointing Champions League campaign.
His imperious league exploits places him third in the European Golden Shoe rankings, which is an exceptional performance in a severely misfiring Juventus team. Ronaldo recorded an xG of 26.5 in the 2020-21 Serie A, one of the best in Europe’s top five leagues.
#2 Lionel Messi | La Liga (30 goals)
Contrary to popular belief, the Messi and Ronaldo era is far from over. While Ronaldo finished atop the Serie A scoring charts, the Argentine continued his imperious La Liga exploits by winning another Pichichi award.
Much like Ronaldo, Messi was inhibited by an average Barcelona team, who endured an indifferent start to their campaign and finished outside the top two for the first time in more than a decade.
Nevertheless, in 47 appearances across all competitions this season, Messi was involved in 50 goals (38 goals, 12 assists), including a league-leading 30 goals and nine assists in the La Liga.
The six-time Ballon D’Or was involved in 46% of Barcelona’s goals in the Spanish top flight. Messi also managed to notch up five goals and two assists in six Champions League appearances, scoring a goal every 108 minutes. The Barcelona superstar recorded an xG of 23.6 and an xA (expected assists) of 10.8 in the league.
Despite Messi's exploits, Barcelona only won the Copa Del Rey, while a late rally saw them unexpectedly in title contention in the La Liga before they fell short.
#1 Robert Lewandowski | Bundesliga (41 goals)
Robert Lewandowski has been one of Europe’s top goalscorers for a while, but this season, he was at his lethal best.
The Polish goal-machine notched up a staggering tally of 41 goals in only 29 appearances to finish a country mile ahead of second-placed Andre Silva (28 goals). In the process, Lewandowski broke Gerd Muller's near five-decade-old record for the most goals in a Bundesliga season.
Thanks to Lewandowski's prolific exploits, Bayern Munich staved off a determined challenge from Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund to win a record-extending ninth-consecutive Bundesliga title.
By winning their ninth Meisterschale trophy on the trot, the Bavarian giants equalled Juventus’ record of nine consecutive Scudettos, the most by any team in Europe’s top five leagues.
The 32-year old’s stellar goalscoring form, especially in the league, saw him pip Messi and Ronaldo to win the prestigious European Golden Shoe award for the first time in his career.
In 40 appearances across all competitions this season, Lewandowski accumulated 48 goals and nine assists, scoring a goal every 70 minutes. The Polish striker registered a sensational xG (expected goals) of 31.6, the best across the continent's top-five leagues.
