Lewandowski dedicates Golden Shoe to Bayern team-mates after receiving award

Robert Lewandowski has received the Golden Shoe award and has dedicated his success to his Bayern Munich team-mates.

The prolific striker scored 41 league goals last season as he finished ahead of Lionel Messi, who got 30 goals for Barcelona. Cristiano Ronaldo was in third place with 29 goals for Juventus.

The European Golden Shoe is given to the continent's top scorer in league matches, with Lewandowski being crowned the winner for the first time.

Lewandowski is only the second player based in Germany to win the award after Gerd Muller also won it while playing for Bayern in 1970 and 1972.

As reported by the club's official website, Lewandowski said: 'I'm delighted by this great honour.

'I'd like to thank my family, my teammates, the coaching staff and the whole of FC Bayern. I couldn't win titles like these without their support. In sport – like in life – it's crucial that you value each other, support each other, are always fair with each other and try to be a role model for others.

'That's why I dedicate this award to all the people who are by my side every day. I'm very happy with what we've achieved together as a team. Thank you very much.'

Lewandowski managed to break Muller's record of 40 Bundesliga goals, which was set in the 1971-72 campaign.

Players who operate in Europe's top five leagues (the top divisions in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain) see their goals multiplied by a factor of two to determine their overall points tally.

Those who play in the next set of leagues (from the sixth best to the 22nd) have a factor of 1.5 and the rest have a factor of one.

Lewandowski has been playing in the Bundesliga since 2010 having previously been at Borussia Dortmund, and is adamant that he doesn't need to prove himself in another league.

As reported by goal, Lewandowski said: 'I don't have to prove myself in another league.

'I can compete with the best from other leagues in the Champions League.

'I am 100 per cent focused on Bayern Munich, I don't think about anything else but my team.'

There have been suggestions that 21-year-old Dortmund star Erling Haaland is being lined up by Bayern as a potential long-term replacement for Lewandowski.

However, Lewandowski, 33, believes that he can continue to play at a high level for a long time.

He said: 'I am still here - and I will be here for a long time!.

'Age, these are just numbers. I feel very good, I have the best stats I've ever had. I know that with my body I can play at the top level for years to come. I'm like a good wine and I hope to get even better.'