Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have found the back of the net at a rate many thought was impossible over a prolonged period of time at the highest level – especially in the modern era.
Fifty goals in a single campaign?
It's become the norm for both superstars to have ever played the game.
So it's no surprise to learn that in nine different seasons since the turn of the century, Messi or Ronaldo have been the top goal scorer in Europe.
But the two greatest are far from the only players to have lit up the continent with their brilliance in front of goal in the past 20 years.
Below are the top scorer from each campaign since 2000/01, along with their game and goal record in all competitions from that particular season.
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Top Goal Scorers In Europe
2000/01: Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan)
- Games: 51
- Goals: 34
2001/02: Mario Jardel (Sporting Lisbon)
- Games: 36
- Goals: 48
2002/03: Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United)
- Games: 52
- Goals: 44
2003/04: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
- Games: 51
- Goals: 39
2004/05: Roy Makaay (Bayern Munich)
- Games: 48
- Goals: 34
2005/06: Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Ajax & SC Heerenveen)
- Games: 46
- Goals: 43
2006/07: Afonso Alves (SC Heerenveen)
- Games: 40
- Goals: 37
2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
- Games: 49
- Goals: 42
2008/09: Marc Janko (Red Bull Salzburg)
- Games: 38
- Goals: 42
2009/10: Luis Suarez (Ajax)
- Games: 48
- Goals: 49
2010/11: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Games: 55
- Goals: 53
2011/12: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Games: 60
- Goals: 73
2012/13: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Games: 50
- Goals: 60
2013/14: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
- Games: 47
- Goals: 51
2014/15: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
- Games: 54
- Goals: 61
2015/16: Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
- Games: 53
- Goals: 59
2016/17: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Games: 52
- Goals: 54
2017/18: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Games: 54
- Goals: 45
2018/19: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
- Games: 50
- Goals: 51
2019/20: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
- Games: 42
- Goals: 49
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Those are all the top goal scorers in Europe. All data sourced from Transfermarkt.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
