Lewandowski receives European Golden Shoe

Carlo Garganese

• 21 Sept 2021 15:05 BST
• 3 min read

Bayern Munich superstar Robert Lewandowski has been presented with the 2020/21 European Golden Shoe.

Robert Lewandowski saw off the challenge of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to finish at the top of the European Golden Shoe rankings for the 2020/21 season.

“I would like to thank my family, team mates, coaches and the entire Bayern Munich team,” Lewandowski tweeted.

“I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together as a team. Thank you! #GoldenShoe2021.”

I would like to thank my family, team mates, coaches and the entire @FCBayern team🙏I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together as a team. Thank you! #GoldenShoe2021 pic.twitter.com/UzECuxSd03

— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) September 21, 2021

It was a memorable season for Lewandowski, who surpassed the Bundesliga record set by the late Gerd Muller in 1971/72 by reaching 41 goals (and 82 points) for the season.

Messi finished in second place with 30 goals for previous team Barcelona, giving him 60 points in the standings for the most goals in Europe.

Ronaldo ended up one goal behind his great rival after hitting the back of the net 29 times for his ex-team Juventus.

Messi and Ronaldo have since moved on to PSG and Manchester United, respectively.

Lewandowski wins first European Golden Shoe

It was an especially impressive achievement for Lewandowski, considering he had to overcome missing a month through injury towards the end of the campaign when he suffered a problem while playing with Poland. The Bundesliga also has two less teams and four fewer matches than the other major European leagues.

With his lead on the star-studded chasing pack finishing up at a huge 22 points, Bayern star Lewandowski won his first Golden Shoe trophy, an outcome that rarely looked in doubt.

Lewandowski became the first Bundesliga winner since 1972.

He has also produced the highest winning goal total for the last six seasons.

And Lewandowski is already looking like a good bet to retain his prize, having scored seven goals in his first five Bundesliga matches this campaign in 2021-22.