Pogba expects Man United exit and club want over £150m

Paul Pogba expects to leave Manchester United this summer, but the club are determined that he will not be sold in a cut-price deal.

Pogba was keen to leave Old Trafford last summer but was convinced to stay for at least another season by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The France international believes he will be allowed to move at the end of the campaign, with Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, or former club Juventus, his preferred destinations.

Despite Solskjaer's public declarations that Pogba will not be sold, there is a growing feeling among key figures that the 26-year-old -- along with agent Mino Raiola -- is becoming too big a distraction and will have to move on.

However, United insist privately that they will not be put on the back foot during any negotiations and are prepared to stick to their valuation of more than £150 million.

Pogba has 18 months left on the contract he signed when he joined from Juventus for a then-world-record fee of £89.3m in 2016, and United also hold an option to extend it until June 2022, according to iSports API football data.

（iSports API, which covers almost all ranges of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

United are prepared to enter into talks with any serious bidder, but there remain significant doubts about whether Barcelona, Real Madrid or Juventus could afford a substantial transfer fee and Pogba's hefty wage packet.

Pogba has not featured for United since coming on as a half-time substitute in the 4-1 win over Newcastle on Dec. 26, and has been restricted to just 8t appearances all season, as per iSports football API. He underwent ankle surgery in January, with sources having told the procedure was to correct a osteochondral defect.

He has started light running without a cast but, due to the seriousness of the issue, United are refusing to put any timescale on a return to first-team action.

Pogba has responded well to treatment and there is hope he will be available again this season and feature for France at this summer's European Championship, but United are remaining cautious about an injury that has caused significant problems for other players.

English midfielder Gary O'Neil was sidelined for eight months during a spell at West Ham after undergoing surgery on an osteochondral ankle defect in 2011, recorded by iSports football livescore data.

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5 of the most memorable Champions League finals

The biggest prize in club football, few competitions hold as rich a history or as illustrious a reputation as the Champions League.

European football’s elite do battle each season, hoping to get their hands on the most coveted prize on the continent.

The final itself is a showpiece all players dream of competing in, and since its rebrand from the old European Cup in 1992 we have seen some truly remarkable finals.

We’ve looked backed through the archives to revisit some of the very best, here’s five of the most memorable Champions League finals, according to iSports football API.

（iSports API, which covers almost all ranges of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

AC Milan 4-0 Barcelona, 1994

Spanish giants Barcelona headed into the 1994 final as overwhelming favourites, with Johan Cruyff’s ‘Dream Team’ having won four consecutive league titles and a first European Cup in 1992.

By contrast, Milan were struggling heading into the showpiece. Despite winning Serie A they had failed to win any of their final six league fixtures and were missing key personnel. Marco Van Basten was absent with a long-term injury, as was world-record signing Gianluigi Lentini whilst defensive duo Franco Baresi and Alessandro Costacurta were both suspended.

The script pointed to a Barcelona win, however that script was soon ripped up.

Milan dominated proceedings, with a brace from Daniele Massaro giving the Italians a two-goal half-time lead. Two minutes into the second half, it was three, Dejan Savićevic lobbing goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta to give Fabio Capello’s side a commanding lead.

Marcel Desailly, who became the first player to win consecutive European Cup/Champions League titles with different clubs, scored a fourth before the hour and Milan were crowned champions of Europe, as per iSports football livescore data.

It is regarded by many as perhaps the greatest final performance in the competition’s history.

Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich, 1999

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United met Bayern Munich at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium, looking to complete a historic treble following their earlier Premier League and FA Cup success.

The duo had met in the group stages of the competition earlier in the season, twice playing out draws, and met again in the final looking to win Europe’s biggest prize.

United had endured a memorable run to the final, knocking out Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus, but would be without Paul Scholes and inspirational captain Roy Keane who were both suspended for the showpiece.

Bayern started strongly and took an early lead, Mario Basler curling home a low free-kick to hand Ottmar Hitzfield’s side the lead after just six minutes.

The Germans controlled long periods of the game, twice hitting the woodwork in the second half, before came perhaps the most memorable final finish in history.

With the clock ticking into stoppage time, United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel ventured forward for a corner as the Manchester side searched desperately for an equaliser. David Beckham swung in the set piece, just evading Schmeichel before Bayern managed to half-clear. The clearance fell only as far as Ryan Giggs, who fluffed an effort towards goal that was turned home by substitute Teddy Sheringham to spark wild celebrations.

United looked to have forced extra-time, though just moments after the restart they forced another corner. Beckham again delivered and Sheringham flicked the ball on at the near post. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, another substitute, reacted quickest and wrote his name into history with a second stoppage time goal.

A second European Cup would be heading to Manchester, a historic treble secured after late, late drama.

AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool

(Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties)

Goals, drama, incredible saves and the greatest comeback in final history, when Liverpool were crowned champions of Europe for a fifth time in Istanbul in 2005.

Liverpool entered the final as major underdogs, Rafael Benitez’s side having finished fifth in that season’s Premier League. Having surprised by beating Juventus and Chelsea to reach the final, many thought Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan would prove a step too far for the Merseyside club.

Milan were playing in their second final in three years, having lifted the trophy in 2003, and had superstars including the likes of Andriy Shevchenko, Kaka and Andrea Pirlo amongst a star-studded line-up, according to iSports API football data.

The match could hardly have begun better for the Italian side, captain Paulo Maldini becoming the oldest scorer in the competitions history after just 50 seconds.

Milan continued to dominate, whilst Harry Kewell’s substitution through injury was a blow to Liverpool’s hopes. Soon after, Hernan Crespo doubled Milan’s lead, turning home from Shevchenko’s cross. Before half-time it was three, Crespo getting his second with a delightful chip over Jerzy Dudek after being played in by Kaka.

At half-time it was 3-0 and Milan seemingly had an unassailable lead. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez brought on Dietmar Hamann at the interval and switched to a 3-5-2 formation. The tactic seemed to work, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard heading home John Arne Riise’s cross to give his side hope.

Moments later, it was 3-2, Smicer firing home from distance into the bottom corner and Liverpool had belief. Just three minutes after Smicer’s goal, Liverpool had a penalty. Gerrard burst into the area and was brought down by Gennaro Gattuso and Benitez’s side had the chance to level. Xabi Alonso stepped up, seeing his penalty saved by Dida before reacting first to equalise.

From three goals down Liverpool had levelled in a frantic six-minute period. The game went into extra-time, with Dudek making a miraculous double save to deny Shevchenko in the added period.

Penalties were to decide the tie, and after Serginho and Pirlo missed Milan’s first two Liverpool were in control. 3-2 to Liverpool with only Shevchenko to take, the Ballon D’or winner had to score to keep Milan in it. Having scored the winning spot-kick two years prior, his tame effort was kept out by Dudek who had deployed former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar’s wobbly leg’s tactic to distact his opponents.

The Miracle of Istanbul was complete.

Bayern Munich 1-1 Chelsea, 2012

(Chelsea win 4-3 on penalties)

Bayern Munich were the first and so far only side of the Champions League-era to have played a final at their home ground, with the 2012 edition held at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Their opponents were Chelsea, who were looking to become the first London side to be crowned champions of Europe after suffering final heartbreak four years prior in Moscow against Man United.

Both clubs had several players missing through suspension, though notably for Chelsea they were without captain John Terry, as per iSports football historical data.

Bayern controlled the game for long periods, but a breakthrough proved difficult. With just seven minutes remaining, the German’s though they’d won it after Thomas Muller headed home to give them the lead.

Just like in 1999, Bayern suffered late heartbreak to an English side and again from a set-piece. Juan Mata swung in an 88th-minute corner, with Didier Drogba powering a header past Manuel Neuer to send the final in extra-time.

There was more drama to come in the extra period, as Drogba turned from hero to villain by fouling Franck Ribery inside the Chelsea penalty box. Arjen Robben stepped up against his former side to put Bayern ahead, but the Dutchman saw his low effort saved by Petr Cech.

The game would be decided by penalties, with the shoot-out again a topsy-turvy affair. Bayern converted their first three kicks through Phillip Lahm, Mario Gomez and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, however, Juan Mata missed Chelsea’s opening kick to give the German side the advantage.

Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger then both saw their efforts saved by Cech, giving Didier Drogba the chance to win it for the Blues. As proved on many occasions, the Ivorian further enhanced his reputation as a big-game player and stroked home to give Chelsea the trophy for the first time in their history.

Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid (AET), 2014

Throughout Champions League history there have been several occasions of final meetings between teams from the same country, but 2014 was the first time two teams had met in the showpiece from the same city.

The Madrid rivals did battle in Lisbon, with Real looking for the elusive ‘La Decima’ to extend their record to 10 European crowns. Atlético were competing in their second ever final, having lost their previous appearance to Bayern Munich 40 years earlier, also in the process breaking the record for the longest wait between final appearances.

Diego Simeone’s side had surprised everyone to be crowned Spanish champions for the first time since 1996, and entered the final in confident mood against their fierce rivals.

Atlético took the lead after 36 minutes, courtesy of a mistake from Real captain Iker Casillas. Following a corner, the goalkeeper came off his line as Juanfran headed the ball back into the penalty area only to be caught in ‘no man’s land’ as Diego Godin looped a header over the stranded shot-stopper.

Real pushed hard for an equaliser in the second half, but Atlético’s defence held firm and a first Champions League title was just seconds from their grasp.

However, in the 93rd minute, Sergio Ramos met Luka Modric’s corner to head home and the Spaniard’s late, late intervention sent the game into extra-time.

With Atlético clearly fatigued in the extra period, Real ran riot. Gareth Bale put them in front, heading home after Thibaut Courtois parried Angel Di Maria’s shot into his path before Marcelo hit a low drive to add a third. Cristiano Ronaldo netted a fourth from the penalty spot, and ‘La Decima’ was achieved.

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti became just the second manager, after Bob Paisley, to win the trophy three times after previously doing so with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007, as per iSports API football data.

The Spanish rivals would meet again in the final two years later with Real again emerging triumphant, this time on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

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Rating the five most expensive U21 transfers in football history

Football is big business, with transfer fees seemingly on a never ending upward trajectory and record deals broken with increasing regularity.

The stratospheric fees once restricted to top-end, proven talent are no more, major clubs now often prepared to spend big on emerging youngsters in a gamble to secure the next superstar of the game.

We’ve decided to look back at some of the priciest prospects of years gone by, here are our ratings of the most expensive U21 transfers in football history, according to iSports API football data.

（iSports API, which covers almost all ranges of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）



Frenkie de Jong – Ajax to Barcelona, €75m, 2019

The midfield metronome at the heart of Ajax’s surprise run to the Champions League semi-finals last season, De Jong’s talents had long been admired from afar and it would be Barcelona who would win the race to secure his signature, securing the young Dutchman on a pre-contract agreement in January 2019 before he headed to the Camp Nou last summer, as per iSports football historical data.

At surface level rarely has a player looked more suited to his future destination, De Jong following in a long line of players built in the style of former Ajax and Barcelona great Johan Cruyff.

A versatile playmaker, De Jong’s ability to retain and recycle possession makes him a superb fit in the heart of the Catalan side, the now 22-year-old quickly establishing himself in Ernesto Valverde’s side and drawing comparisons with Barca greats Xavi and current teammate Sergio Busquets.

De Jong’s career in La Liga may be less than a year old, but he has already shown signs of being a key component of the side for seasons to come.

Rating: 7/10

Neymar – Santos to Barcelona, €86m, 2013

One of a long list of South American talents to emerge from the continent amongst much hype, Neymar would be chased by almost all of Europe’s leading clubs before opting for Barcelona in 2013.

The effortlessly talented forward had scored prolifically in his homeland and had long been tipped for the very top of the game, twice being named as South America’s Footballer of the Year.

His move to Europe and Spain would prove a huge success, following a season of adaptation in which he scored 15 goals with a haul of 39 in all competitions the following year, as per iSports football livescore API, forming a devastating forward partnership with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as Barcelona completed a continental treble.

In four seasons at the Camp Nou he would score 105 goals in just 186 appearances, winning a series of major honours including two La Liga titles and the Champions League. He would ultimately depart under a cloud for Paris Saint-Germain in 2017, the Brazilian the most expensive footballer in football history.

Rating: 9/10

Ousmane Dembele – Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona, €105m, 2017

The third big-money Barcelona signing to make this list, Ousmane Dembele would head to Spain as part of the knock-on effect of the aforementioned Neymar’s move to PSG.

Left with a Neymar-shaped hole in their forward line and pockets stashed with cash, the Catalan side chose to part with an eye-watering €105m to sign the talented French winger from Borussia Dortmund, Dembele having joined from Rennes a year earlier and enjoyed a meteoric rise in his single season in German football.

Dembele had made the Bundesliga Team of the Year after providing 12 assists during that campaign, with Barcelona believing the Frenchman possessed the creativity from wide that would be absent following Neymar’s departure.

It has proven to be a frustrating time for Dembele since the move, however, the winger failing to truly establish himself as a key figure with injuries and inconsistency hampering his progress. Team success has come in the form of back-to-back league titles, but he continues to be linked with a move away from Camp Nou having failed to make a significant impact.

Rating: 4/10

Joao Felix – Benfica to Atletico Madrid, €126m, 2019

The most recent inclusion to this feature of expensive youngsters, Felix would join Atletico Madrid last summer as the most expensive acquisition in the club’s illustrious history.

The teenage forward had thrived since being handed his opportunity in the Benfica first-team last season, scoring 20 times in all competitions as the club secured the Portuguese league title, according to iSports football result.

His performances had not gone unnoticed amongst the elite of European football, though it would be Atletico who somewhat uncharacteristically took the plunge and activated his hefty release clause.

It’s been a slow adaptation to life in the Spanish captial, Felix scoring four goals in all competitions thus far, though he has shown glimpses of the talent that saw him secure the Golden Boy award ahead of the likes of Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz last year.

The jury still remains out on whether his huge fee will be justified, but he certainly possesses the potential and promise to become a leading star in the near future.

Rating: 5/10

Kylian Mbappe – Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain, €180m, 2017

The French phenomenon would burst onto the scene with an exciting, young Monaco side, winning the league title and reaching the Champions League semi-finals with the Ligue 1 outfit just over two years ago before a mega-move came calling.

Mbappe would choose to remain in his homeland and sign for PSG, initially on loan before joining for a staggering €180m, making him the second most expensive player in football history.

Since arriving in the capital the sublime talents of the forward have continued to flourish, Mbappe scoring 78 goals in just 106 appearances, winning back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and being named as the division’s Player of the Season last year in addition to winning the Golden Boot, as per iSports livescore football data.

Remarkably still just 20-years-old, the youngster’s impressive haul already includes three league titles in addition to World Cup success with France, Mbappe becoming the first teenager since Pele to score in the final against Croatia in 2018.

Delivering a maiden Champions League success would give Mbappe full marks in our ratings, and he will undoubtedly have one eye on achieving that feat this season.

Rating: 9/10

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Devin Booker replaces Damian Lillard in All-Star Game & 3-point contest

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker will replace the injured Damian Lillard in this weekend's NBA All-Star Game and 3-point contest.

The NBA named Booker as Lillard's replacement Thursday, one day after the Portland Trail Blazers star suffered a right groin strain.

Booker, 23, will make his first career All-Star appearance in his fifth season. The former Kentucky star is the NBA's 10th-leading scorer, averaging 26.4 points per game, and is the Suns' first All-Star since Steve Nash in 2011-12, reporter by iSports basketball data.

（iSports API covers almost all ranges of sports games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Booker will play for Team LeBron -- the team selected by LeBron James, one of the captains alongside Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo. James welcomed Booker to the team with a tweet Thursday.

Booker was among the more notable snubs when the NBA announced its initial All-Star reserves last month. He acknowledged being disappointed.

Lillard was injured in the second half of Portland's 111-104 loss to Memphis on Wednesday night. He said after the game that he would not compete in either the All-Star Game or the 3-point contest.

Lillard also noted that he hoped Booker or "someone like that" would fill his spot.

Although this is his first All-Star Game, Booker has been part of All-Star Weekend in each of his five NBA seasons. He has been in the 3-point contest three other times, winning the title in 2018 and also competing in 2016 and 2019, as per iSports basketball API. He was a finalist in that event as a 19-year-old in 2016, alongside Golden State's sharpshooting duo of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry.

Booker still holds the 3-point contest records for most points in any round and most points in a final round -- he had 28 points in the finals to win the title two years ago. Booker took part in the skills challenge in 2017, according to iSports basketball data api.

He also scored 25 points in the 2016 Rising Stars game and 17 points when he returned to that game for first- and second-year players the following season.

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Karl-Anthony Towns out again with injured wrist

The Minnesota Timberwolves say Karl-Anthony Towns will miss Wednesday night's game against the Charlotte Hornets due to a left wrist injury.

Towns had an MRI on the wrist Tuesday, which revealed the injury. He will be further evaluated over the All-Star break, according to the team.

Towns is averaging a career-best 26.5 points and 10.8 rebounds in 35 games this season. He missed 15 games earlier this season with a sprained left knee, as per iSports NBA API.

（iSports API covers almost all ranges of sports games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Wednesday's game is the Timberwolves' final game before the break. Minnesota's next game is Feb. 21 against Boston.

Timberwolves coach Ryan Saunders said prior to Wednesday's game that he did not know when or how Towns was injured. Towns had 23 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists in 37 minutes in Monday night's loss to Toronto, according to iSports basketball livescore data.

"He's a guy who takes a lot of contact," Saunders said. "He's a guy who attacks the rim with force. There's been times where he's getting knocked to the floor. So we know that there is wear in that sense but no specific action."

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Bayern Munich intend to sell Corentin Tolisso this summer

Corentin Tolisso has seen his role diminish significantly under Hansi Flick, making just one Bundesliga start since the former German national team assistant took charge of the club.

In fact, since that lone start (against Fortuna on 23 November), Tolisso has only stepped on the pitch for 33 minutes in the league, as per iSports football API and is believed to be very unhappy with his current role.

（iSports API, which covers almost all ranges of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

Now, it appears his days with the Bavarians are numbered. According to Bild, Bayern intend to sell the World Cup-winning midfielder this summer in order to make room and money for incoming transfers.

One giant name specifically mentioned is Bayer Leverkusen’s 20-year-old sensation Kai Havertz, who has been linked with virtually every big club in the world, with Bayern and Liverpool seemingly favourites for his signature.

Havertz would likely cost the winning bidder a nine-figure fee, with Bild reporting two weeks ago that Leverkusen are currently demanding €130m for the player.

Tolisso arrived in summer 2017 from Lyon for what was then a club-record fee of €41.5m before Lucas Hernández came over from Atlético Madrid last summer for a whopping €80m.

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Analysing Cristiano Ronaldo’s league goalscoring record over the last 11 seasons

Cristiano Ronaldo’s extraordinary goalscoring exploits continued as the Juventus superstar scored his 20th Serie A goal of the season against Verona, meaning the forward has now scored 20+ league goals in each of his last 11 seasons, according to iSports football API.

（ iSports API, which covers almost all ranges of football games with livescore, standings, events, line-ups, pre-match odds, statistics）

The Portuguese international is widely recognised as one of the greatest footballers of all-time, and the forward’s goal also set another new record as he became the first player in the Turin side’s history to score in ten consecutive league matches.

Following the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s latest landmark, we’ve decided to look back at Ronaldo’s goalscoring league campaigns from previous seasons in what has been a truly remarkable career.

2009/10 – 26 goals in 29 appearances (Real Madrid)

Ronaldo’s first season in Madrid following his world record move from Manchester United would see the marquee signing score 26 La Liga goals, coming in just 29 appearances for the Spanish side, according to iSports API.

Despite those exploits, however, Ronaldo would finish a goal behind Gonzalo Higuain as the club’s top league scorer, in a season that would end without silverware as the second coming of the Galacticos took time to adapt to the pressure cooker of the Bernabeu.

2010/11 – 40 goals in 34 appearances (Real Madrid)

Whilst 20 goals is often viewed, for good reason, as a total to reach for leading strikers, Ronaldo would help elevate the game to new standards by hitting a then record 40 league goals in a single La Liga campaign during his second season in the Spanish capital.

Madrid’s efforts to wrestle La Liga back from Barcelona would ultimately end in failure, though Ronaldo would enjoy the best goalscoring season of his career and claim a first Pichichi trophy, averaging more than a goal-per-league-game for the first time in his career – a feat he has since achieved on a further three occasions.

Ronaldo’s efforts would also see him claim the European Golden Shoe, winning the award for the second time in his career.

2011/12 – 46 goals in 38 appearances (Real Madrid)

Ronaldo would once again raise the bar in a record-breaking season for Real Madrid, playing in every La Liga fixture as the title was secured, Jose Mourinho’s side setting new standards including most points (100), most goals scored (126) and biggest goal difference (+89), as per iSports livescore API.

His 46 goals would again improve his best ever personal tally for a league season and he would register 53 goals in all competitions, whilst he would also become the first player to score against all 19 opponents in a single La Liga season.

Remarkably, however, he would finish as only the second highest scorer in La Liga, Lionel Messi becoming the first player in the history of Europe’s top five leagues to score 50 times in a league season – the duo reaching unprecedented levels at the height of their great rivalry.

2012/13 – 34 goals in 34 appearances (Real Madrid)

The Real Madrid star’s standards would dip slightly as Los Blancosfailed to defend their title, though Ronaldo would still break the 30-goal barrier for the third consecutive league season and register an average of a goal-per-game.

The 2012/13 campaign would also see CR7 score his 200th goal for the club, coming in just 197 appearances, whilst his goal-per-game ratio would be maintained throughout all competitions, scoring 55 goals in 55 games, including finishing as the top scorer in the Champions League for the second time and first as a Madrid player.

2013/14 – 31 goals in 30 games (Real Madrid)

Injuries would restrict Ronaldo to his lowest number of appearances since his debut season in Spain, though his haul of 31 goals in 30 league games were enough to see him claim a second Pichichi trophy and a third European Golden Shoe – sharing the award jointly with Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, as per iSports football API data.

Real Madrid would ultimately suffer a disappointing La Liga season as they finished third behind champions Atletico Madrid and runners-up Barcelona, though it would prove a memorable season as the club ended their 12-year wait for La Decima by lifting the Champions League, Ronaldo becoming the first player to score in two finals for two different winning teams after earlier achieving the feat with Manchester United.

Some of his season highlights would include scoring his 400th career goal and a stunning last-minute backheeled volley against Valencia – the goal named as the best in Spanish football that season.

2014/15 – 48 goals in 35 games (Real Madrid)

The best goalscoring season of a phenomenal career, Ronaldo would hit 48 La Liga goals during 2014/15, averaging 1.371 goals-per-game throughout the league campaign and falling just two short of Messi’s aforementioned record.

His tally would include 15 goals in his first eight league appearances of the season, whilst he would also become the fastest player to reach 200 goals in Spain’s top-flight, achieving the feat in just 178 games, recorded by iSports football API data.

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Named as the winner of the Ballon d’Or for the second successive year in December, the season would be a disappointment on a team level as Real won only the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, finishing as runners-up in La Liga and losing in the semi-finals in the defence of their Champions League crown.

Despite that Ronaldo would finish with 61 goals in all competitions, winning a fourth European Golden Shoe in his most prolific campaign to date.

2015/16 – 35 goals in 36 appearances (Real Madrid)

Ronaldo would smash the 30-goal barrier for the sixth successive league season in 2015/16, scoring 35 times in 36 appearances as Real finished as runners-up once more in La Liga.

That season would see the forward eclipse Raul as the club’s greatest ever goalscorer in league football, scoring five times in a 6-0 thrashing of Espanyol to move to 230 La Liga goals, before moving past the Spanish great as Real’s leading goalscorer in all competitions with a goal against Levante the following month.

Later in the campaign, a four-goal haul against Levante would also take Ronaldo to 252 La Liga goals, putting him behind only Messi as the competition’s all-time record goalscorer, whilst he would also fire the club to a second Champions League title in three years.

2016/17 – 25 goals in 29 appearances (Real Madrid)

It’s perhaps remarkable that Ronaldo’s lowest goalscoring league season in Spain produced just 25 goals, a testament to the abnormal levels that have become so routine for the Portuguese great.

Whilst it may have been a less prolific season on a personal level for the star, it would be a campaign of great team success, Real securing La Liga in addition to becoming the first side in the Champions League era to defend their crown.

UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup honours would also be added to an ever growing trophy cabinet, Ronaldo finishing the season with 40+ goals in all competitions for the seventh season in succession and winning a fifth Ballon d’Or at the end of the year, as per iSports API football data.

2017/18 – 26 goals in 27 appearances (Real Madrid)

The 2017/18 season would prove to be Ronaldo’s last in the famous all-white colours of Real Madrid, and would prove a disappointing campaign domestically as Zinedine Zidane’s side slumped to a third-placed finish despite Ronaldo averaging almost a goal-per-game.

Ronaldo would save his best for the European stage that season, however, firing Real to a third consecutive Champions League title and scoring one of the competition’s greatest ever goals with a gravity-defying overhead kick against Juventus in the quarter-finals.



2018/19 – 21 goals in 31 appearances (Juventus)

Speaking of Juventus…

The Italian giants would capture worldwide headlines by signing Ronaldo from Madrid, the club believing that Ronaldo was the man to help them capture European glory after seasons of domestic dominance.

Whilst Champions League success would ultimately prove elusive during his maiden campaign, the forward would help the Turin side to an eighth consecutive Scudetto, scoring 21 goals in 31 appearances to finish as the fourth-highest goalscorer in the division.

His 21-goal haul may have been his lowest tally since his final season with Manchester United ten years previously, though he was still named as Serie A’s Footballer of the Year following his debut season with Juventus.

2019/20 – 20 goals in 20 appearances*

Following a season of adaptation, Ronaldo is beginning to hit his best goalscoring form in Serie A, his goal against Verona the tenth consecutive league fixture in which he had found the net and taking his tally to 20 goals in just 20 appearances this season.

Juventus currently sit second and are embroiled in a tense title race with Inter Milan and Lazio, and the Bianconeri will need Ronaldo to continue firing if they are to see off the new found competition.

Averaging a goal-per-game at present, the 35-year-old is firmly in contention for a fifth European Golden Shoe and to finish as the league’s top scorer in a third of Europe’s five major leagues.

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