Berlin : Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski on Tuesday received the Golden Shoe award as last season’s top scorer in Europe, said dpa.
Poland’s Lewandowski netted a Bundesliga record 41 goals in 2020-21, bettering the mark of 40 former Bayern great Gerd Mueller achieved in 1971-72.
Six-time winner Lionel Messi was second with 30 goals for Barcelona, followed by Cristiano Ronaldo who had 29 for Juventus, said dpa
Mueller, who died recently, is the only other Bayern player to have won the award. “I’m delighted by this great honor,” Lewandowski said.
German Football League boss Christian Seifert said the record be one “for eternity” as he named Lewandowski “one of the best players in Bundesliga history who has been playing at world class level for many years.”
Bayern chief executive officer Oliver Kahn said: “Robert Lewandowski is the reigning world player of the year for a reason. His goals say it all and their continuity is an expression of how hard he works every day.
Lewandowski succeeds Lazio’s Ciro Immobile who won the award owned by the European Sports Media group in 2020.
Based on the UEFA country coefficient, every goal in Europe’s top five and most competitive leagues is ranked with two points, and others with 1.5 or 1 points, depending on league strength.
