Cristiano Ronaldo earns better numbers than in the two seasons he won the Golden Boot award

With 20 goals in 16 games played so far in La Liga, the Portuguese striker's mark is better than those he earned at this stage in the 2007/08 and 2010/11 campaigns

Antonio M. Leal / Translation by Michael J. O'Donnell

Sixteen games into the league championship, Cristiano Ronaldo has earned the best goal scoring numbers in his career and is well on the path to winning his third Golden Boot award at the end of the campaign. The previous two times he won the accolade the Potuguese player had scored 9 and 17 strikes at this stage in the championship.

The Portuguese striker sealed 2011 with three goals against Sevilla. It was his fifth hat-trick this season, previously scoring others against Zaragoza, Rayo Vallecano, Malaga and Osasuna. He has so far tallied 20 strikes in La Liga and tops the 2012 Golden Boot ranking.

Ronaldo won his first Golden Boot award in the 2007/08 campaign with 31 goals, having netted 9 by the 16th match. It was the year that established him as one of the most efficient strikers in Europe with Manchester United.

He was the top scorer in Europe again last season, scoring a record 40 strikes in La Liga with Real Madrid. He tallied 17 goals in the first 16 games, three less than in the present campaign.

RONALDO GOALS BY WEEK 16 IN SEASONS HE WON THE GOLDEN BOOT
Season	Goals
2007/08	9
2010/11	17