Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski: The top goalscorers per calendar year in the 21st century

In partnership with

GiveMeSport

·15 December 2021

Messi, Ronaldo, Lewandowski: The top goalscorers per calendar year in the 21st century

Robert Lewandowski looks like an unstoppable force of nature after zeroing in on Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 69 goals in a single calendar year.

The Portuguese superstar's record has stood the test of time for the best part of a decade after netting 69 times for Real Madrid in 2013, although it is now in danger of being eclipsed by the Bayern Munich striker.

OneFootball Videos

Lewandowski banged in a brace against VfB Stuttgart at the Mercedes-Benz Arena on Tuesday in a 5-0 win for Julian Nagelsmann's men.

In doing so, he moved one step closer to surpassing Ronaldo's astonishing feat, and now has top spot in his sights.

But despite his superb goal-scoring form for club and country, Lewandowski has incredibly never actually won the Ballon d'Or.

Last week, he came agonisingly close to picking up the prestigious award, only to end up losing out to Lionel Messi.

However, Nagelsmann has insisted the Poland international has not allowed the disappointment to affect him at all, in fact if anything it's the opposite.

He said: "I haven't noticed a big change in terms of hunger for goals, regardless of the Ballon d'Or decision or new records.

"I think he was in an incredibly good mood lately with very good body language.

"He also does his job defensively very neatly. I think he just wants to be successful with FC Bayern."

1 of 12

When did Cristiano Ronaldo make his debut for Manchester United?

2002 2003 2005 2007

Bayern have one game left to play in 2021 - a Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena - and it's hard to bet against Lewandowski scoring again given the incredible run he has been on since the start of the year.

Erling Haaland and four goals clear of Patrik Schick.

But who has scored the most goals in a single calendar year?

Find out for yourself with our comprehensive list, below...

2000 - Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan, 37 goals)

2001 - Raul Gonzalez (Real Madrid, 41 goals)

2002 - Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, 35 goals)

2003 - Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, 43 goals)

2004 - Thierry Henry (Arsenal, 43 goals)

2005 - Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, 35 goals)