Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski, Henry: Top scorers in Europe every season since 2002/03 | OneFootball

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the scoring charts across Europe for many a year now.

Since Ronaldo first won the Ballon d’Or in 2008, the two eternal rivals have never looked back and can now lay claim to an incredible 12 of football’s most coveted individual accolade between them.

Much of their recognition comes from the staggering numbers they’ve put up year after year.

In Messi’s most prolific season, he scored a mind-boggling 81 goals.

Whereas in 2014/15 Ronaldo racked up a nearly equally as impressive 66 strikes.

It goes without saying that they were both Europe’s top scorer in those years.

But who out of the two of them – and the rest of the footballing world for the matter – has managed to top the continent’s scoring charts most frequently.

A graphic created by @PopFoot Twitter account has detailed exactly that by identifying each season’s top goalscorer since 2002/03 – both club and national team goals are considered in this ranking.

Check it for yourself below.

Top scorer in Europe every season since 2002/03

2002/03: Ruud van Nistelrooy – 47 goals (59 games)2003/04: Thierry Henry – 44 goals (63 games) 2004/05: Adriano – 35 goals (54 games)2005/06: Thierry Henry – 41 goals (60 games) 2006/07: Didier Drogba – 36 goals (67 games)2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo – 46 goals (61 games)2008/09: Edin Dzeko – 45 goals (50 games) 2009/10: Lionel Messi – 48 goals (63 games) 2010/11: Lionel Messi – 57 goals (67 games) 2011/12: Lionel Messi – 81 goals (68 games)

2012/13: Lionel Messi – 69 goals (62 games) 2013/14: Cristiano Ronaldo – 62 goals (57 games)2014/15: Cristiano Ronaldo – 66 goals (60 games) 2015/16: Luis Suarez – 60 goals (55 games) 2016/17: Lionel Messi – 57 goals (57 games) 2017/18: Lionel Messi – 56 goals (69 games)2018/19: Lionel Messi – 56 goals (60 games)2019/20: Robert Lewandowski – 59 goals (53 games)2020/21: Robert Lewandowski – 56 goals (50 games) 2021/22: Robert Lewandowski – 57 goals (56 games)

Messi triumphs in this battle then with the Argentine romping to an impressive seven Golden Shoe awards.

Ronaldo places second alongside Lewandowski, both stars can boast being Europe’s most prolific scorer in three seasons.

Arsenal GAME OFF? Tuchel speaks OUT! Kante NEW DEAL! Potter Pressure! (The Football Terrace)

Whereas Arsenal legend Henry claimed the tag on two occasions in 2004 and 2006.

We also see Suarez, Dzeko, Drogba, Adriano and Van Nistelrooy achieve the accolade on one occasion.

Guess the legend by their career path:

1 of 20

Which Champions League legend’s career is this?

Davor Suker Fernando Morientes Raul Predrag Mijatovic