Quote Originally Posted by HeavensAAA View Post
The reward can only be added to that top scorer, so if the player is not in your team in the following season for any reasons, say being sold or retired, then there will be no reward (as it cannot be added on without that player).
No HeavensAAA there is a reward.
Speaking... Well, writing from experience. My legend retired being the highest goalscorer and I claimed the reward the following season.

The only bad aspect of it was, it was randomly given to a 3-star player that will never play. So yes, you claim your reward even if the scorer retired or is sold.