These are the players in contention to win the European Golden Shoe at the end of the season.
Goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues are scored double, while those in the next sixteen most prestigious divisions are multiplied by 1.5. Players ranked by total goal points below.
8= Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
League goals: 15
Division and goal value: La Liga (2x)
Total goal points: 30
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the only player ever to win the European Golden Shoe three times.
The Argentina forward’s has returned to once again lead the line for Tata Martino’s side, and his remarkable consistency means he would surely be higher up this list had he not missed matches through injury.
8= Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund)
League goals: 15
Division and goal value: Bundesliga (2x)
Total goal points: 30
It is a surprise that there are no Bayern Munich players on this list, for the Bavarian giants look the most dominant team in Europe at present.
Given that Robert Lewandowski will move from Borussia Dortmund to the Allianz Arena on a free transfer at the end of the season, it appears likely that will change next term.
8= Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)
League goals: 15
Division and goal value: Premier League (2x)
Total goal points: 30
Sergio Aguero’s total of 15 Premier League goals would be considerably higher if he hadn’t been injured for much of the campaign.
Three separate spells on the sidelines have interrupted the Argentine’s season, and given his average of exactly a goal per game in all 26 matches he has played for Man City this term, he remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the world.
8= Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
League goals: 15
Division and goal value: La Liga (2x)
Total goal points: 30
After a difficult start to the season, failing to score a goal in La Liga between August and the end of October, Karim Benzema has found his feet, buoyed by the confidence placed in him by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Frenchman’s understanding with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale is growing with each game, and earned the triumvirate the acronym ‘BBC.’
8= Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord)
League goals: 20
Division and goal value: Eredivisie (1.5x)
Total goal points: 30
Graziano Pelle’s last two seasons in the Netherlands are perhaps the reason the Dutch league isn’t held in the same regard as the the other top European divisions.
The 28 year-old has scored 47 league goals in the last two campaigns, having only managed 19 in the previous six, largely in his home country of Italy.
8= Carlos Tevez (Juventus)
League goals: 15
Division and goal value: Serie A (2x)
Total goal points: 30
Carlos Tevez may have been frozen out of the Argentina setup, but the 28 year-old has been brilliant for Juventus this season.
His partnership with Fernando Llorente has been a big part of the Turin side’s success, and he will attempt to help them win the UEFA Europa League in their own stadium later in May.
8= Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad)
League goals: 15
Division and goal value: La Liga (2x)
Total goal points: 30
Antoine Griezmann’s form in front of goal has been so sensational this season that the 22 year-old France international is unsurprisingly being linked with moves to Europe’s biggest clubs.
Starting from a wide left position to shoot on goal with his right, Griezmann has made a real step up this term.
7. Alexis Sanchez (FC Barcelona)
League goals: 16
Division and goal value: La Liga (2x)
Total goal points: 32
In the absence of Lionel Messi from the FC Barcelona side through injury, other players have had to step up, and Alexis Sanchez has shaken off an underwhelming start to his Camp Nou career to showcase his best form this term.
Sanchez’s increased contribution has been vital in keeping Barca in the fight to win a hugely competitive Liga.
6. Alfred Finnbogason (Heerenveen)
League goals: 22
Division and goal value: Eredivisie (1.5x)
Total goal points: 33
With 0.96 goals per game this season, only Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez have a better goals per game ratio than the Iceland striker, who narrowly missed out on a place at the World Cup after his country lost to Croatia in the playoffs.
Finnbogason is still young, at 25 years old, and has scored goals wherever he has played, so perhaps it is time for a team in one of Europe’s biggest divisions to take a chance on him.
5. Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool)
League goals: 18
Division and goal value: Premier League (2x)
Total goal points: 36
Daniel Sturridge appeared something of a gamble when Liverpool signed him in January 2013, but he has repaid Brendan Rodgers’ faith in some style, only failing to score in four Premier League games all season, and looking like he could make a huge impact on this summer’s 2014 FIFA World Cup.
4. Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid)
League goals: 21
Division and goal value: La Liga (2x)
Total goal points: 42
Atletico Madrid are involved in their first title challenge in years under the inspirational management of Diego Simeone, and Diego Costa’s goals have been a big part of their La Liga success.
The hard working Brazil Spain international harries opposition defences throughout matches, and finds the back of the net even when feeding on scraps for service.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain)
League goals: 22
Division and goal value: Ligue 1 (2x)
Total goal points: 44
Paris Saint-Germain were derided somewhat for overpaying to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but bringing the Swede to Parc des Princes has proved a masterstroke.
Ibra leads PSG’s goals and assists this term, and is playing so well that Edinson Cavani has been shifted out to the right wing to accommodate his brilliance.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
League goals: 23
Division and goal value: La Liga (2x)
Total goal points: 46
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the history of the game, and unusually, rarely plays at centre forward.
The Portugal international is just devastating from the left wing though, prompting managers to build their entire gameplan around giving him the ball as early as possible, and clearly getting results.
1. Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
League goals: 24
Division and goal value: Premier League (2x)
Total goal points: 48
Luis Suarez used to be renowned for missing chances. When the Uruguayan first arrived in England, he took the most shots in the top flight, but the Liverpool man failed to trouble the Premier League top scorers.
Much has changed since then, and there is no more productive player in world football at present.
Despite missing the first six games of the season, Suarez leads the chase for the European Golden Shoe.