Shortly before the official championship celebrations Robert Lewandowski was presented with the cannon-shaped trophy awarded to the league's top scorer by respected weekly journal kicker. Lewandowski has scored 29 goals, followed by Freiburg's Nils Peterson on 15.
"I'm very happy I've won this cannon again," Lewandowski commented on his title hat-trick. The 29-year-old striker won the trophy in 2013/14, scoring 20 goals, and in 2015/16 (30). "It's always an extra accolade, it's always special," said Lewandowski, who scored 30 goals last season but finished second behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (31).
A trophy for the whole team
Lewandowski's third crown was all but wrapped up when Aubameyang joined Arsenal in January. Lewy has found the net almost twice as often as his closest rival, a first in Bundesliga history. "The gap is quite big this season," said Lewandowski, who thanked "the whole team. It's also a trophy that belongs to the team."
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes was delighted for Lewandowski, calling him "one of the best goal-getters in Europe. I think it's a great achievement that he won the top scorer trophy for the third time," declared Heynckes, who won the trophy twice. "It underlines his quality. Of course the team create the chances, but he also gets the opportunities because of his play. It's something you can't really learn."
Lewandowski chasing Heynckes
The former world-class forward is particularly impressed that Lewandowski is still hungry for goals. "You have to be ambitious and never satisfied as a goal-getter, you must want to score the goals. He does just that," said Heynckes.
Lewandowski has scored 180 goals in 257 Bundesliga matches, lying seventh in the Bundesliga's all-time scorer rankings. Heynckes, third on 220 goals, is not far away. "I've joked with him and told him I expect him to surpass my number in the next few years. Of course I wish he'll score many more goals in the Bundesliga in the next few years," said the parting Bayern coach.
The Poland captain drew equal with FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Ulf Kirsten. Only Gerd Müller has won the trophy more often, seven times. Lewandowski's third trophy will take up residence beside his two other trophies. And Lewandowski aims to win more silverware: "I always have space for a cannon."
Topics of this article