Robert Lewandowski wins European Golden Boot; Ballon d’Or awaits

Robert Lewandowski has won the race for the European Golden Boot, netting 41 goals in the 20/21 Bundesliga season. What’s even more remarkable is the fact that Lewandowski scored 41 in 29 games, having missed 5 fixtures due to injury. 

The European Golden Boot is awarded to the top scorer across all European leagues. However, it is determined by a points-based system wherein the goals from the top five leagues in Europe are multiplied by 2 while others are multiplied by 1.5 or 1 as applicable. 

Lewandowski comfortably finishes first, with Leo Messi being the runner up. The Argentinian has scored 30 goals in LaLiga as his contemporary rival, Cristiano Ronaldo has netted 29 in Serie A. Both the legends won the respective domestic cups in their leagues, and have been left behind by the Bayern Munich star.

The European Golden Boot was won by Lazio’s Ciro Immobile last season. And this time around, Lewandowski has cemented himself in Bundesliga history by breaking Gerd Muller’s record of scoring 40 goals in a Bundesliga season. Again, while Muller did so in 34 games in Germany, Lewandowski took five lesser games to break the record. 

Fans called the cancellation of the Ballon d’Or award a robbery since Lewandowski had a glorious season and also won the sextuple with Bayern. Following his individual glory this season, and Bayern Munich winning the Bundesliga title for a ninth consecutive season, it seems destined for the 2021 Ballon d’Or to end up with the Polish striker.