We all still know, as evidenced by his hat-trick against Atletico Madrid, that when it comes to big matches, there’s no player more decisive on the planet than Cristiano Ronaldo. However, given his current injury and focus on the Champions League, it’s safe to say that Ronaldo will not capture the European Golden Shoe this year.
The Portuguese is a four-time winner of the award, although he hasn't won it since 2014-15. Regardless, the fact that a man approaching his 35th birthday is fifth in this year’s standings tells you everything you need to know about his everlasting quality.
However, Ronaldo’s 19 Serie A goals are dwarfed by Lionel Messi’s 31 for Barcelona. Messi won the award in 2016-17 with 37 league goals and again in 2017-18 with 34, and the Argentine still has nine matches to add to this year’s total.
He was at it yesterday with this absurd Panenka free kick.
#Messi scored " Panenka Kick " just touch underneath the ball .. he is ! pic.twitter.com/wCZ3s6DfsO
— THALAIVAA n THALA (@arunbuddula) March 30, 2019
The one player who has a realistic shot of stopping Messi’s Golden Shoe assault is 20-year-old PSG phenom Kylian Mbappe. Today, the 2018 World Cup Best Young Player Award-winner notched his 27th goal in 24 Ligue 1 appearances.
LaLiga is obviously a much sterner test than France’s top division, but this goal showcases Mbappe’s all-around quality. When he’s not scorching defenders with his unreal pace, he’s more than capable of dicing opponents with finesse.
It’s a great first touch followed by an instinctive finish.
Even if Messi wins the Golden Shoe this year, it's only a matter of time before Mbappe claims his first.
This would be the game’s lone goal, and PSG’s lead at the top of the table stands at 20 points. The club will clinch the title with five more points over the course of nine remaining games (that’s if Lille doesn’t drop any to speed things up).
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