Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during a match.
IN PHOTO: Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after missing a chance to score against Valencia during their Spanish first division soccer match at theSantiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, May 9, 2015. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo won the European Golden Shoe, edging out rival Lionel Messi. It is the fourth time the Ronaldo had won the coveted Golden Boot.

Ronaldo is the only player to have won the award four times. He is also the only player to have won the award in two different leagues. Ronaldo first won the European Golden Shoe in 2008 when he was signed with Manchester United in the English Premier League. He bagged the award also in 2011 and 2013 with Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga. Ronaldo is also the only player to win the award in consecutive years.

Ronaldo finished the season with 48 goals from 35 appearances. Messi, on the other hand, had 43 goals from 38 appearances.

The European Golden Shoe is an award that is given to the top goal scorer in league matches. All the players of the football clubs in the top division of every European league can win the award. A special point system is being used that gives the players in tougher leagues an opportunity to win even if they didn’t score as many goals as the players in weaker leagues.

Top 12 Golden Shoe Ranking (Name/Team/Goals/Points)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo - Real Madrid - 48 goals - 96 points

2. Lionel Messi - FC Barcelona - 43 goals - 86 points

3. Sergio Aguero - Manchester City - 26 goals - 52 points

4. Jonathan Soriano - RB Salzburg - 31 goals - 46.5 points

5. Mauro Icardi - FC Internazionale - 22 goals - 44 points

6. Luca Toni - Hellas Verona - 22 goals - 44 points

7. Neymar - FC Barcelona - 22 goals - 44 points

8. Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid - 22 goals - 44 points

9. Jackson Martinez - FC Porto - 22 goals - 44 points

10. Harry Kane - Tottenham Hotspur - 22 goals - 42 points

11. Eide Zahavi - Maccabbi Tel Aviv - 28 goals - 42 points

12. Robert Beric - Rapid Wien - 27 goals - 40.5 points

For the complete list, visit Eurotopfoot.com.

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