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Lionel Messi leads Kylian Mbappe in Golden Shoe race

Golden Shoe race

Lionel Messi's double in Barcelona's win at Valencia saw him extend his lead in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

The Barcelona star has 21 goals, taking him to 42 points. If he maintains his current scoring rate then a sixth European Golden Shoe award will be winging his way.

If Messi does stay ahead, it would make him the first player to get his hands on the European Golden Shoe six times (2009/10, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2016/17, 2017/18).

Lionel Messi Barcelona Levante Copa del Rey
Image: Lionel Messi Barcelona Levante Copa del Rey

Kylian Mbappe is his closest pursuer in second with 18 goals in Ligue 1 as PSG have ripped through most of their opponents this season.

Race for the European Golden Shoe

Name Goals Points
Lionel Messi 21 42
Kylian Mbappe 18 36
Cristiano Ronaldo 17 34
Edinson Cavani 16 32
Fabio Quagliarella 16 32
Nicolas Pepe 16 32
Mohamed Salah 16 32
Liliu 31 31

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus is third with 17 goals while Edinson Cavani is a further goal back on 16.

Ronaldo was the last player from the English top flight to win the European Golden Shoe outright, after scoring 31 goals to help Manchester United claim the 2007/08 Premier League title.

Fabio Quagliarella is a surprising name among the top scorers having netted 16 times for Sampdoria this season. The 36-year-old striker equalled Gabriel Batistuta's record by scoring in 11 straight matches earlier this season.

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Mohamed Salah pushed Messi close last season but has ground to make up a year on as Liverpool go for the Premier League title. He sits on 16 goals.

Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani both scored hat-trick on Saturday
Image: Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani both scored hat-trick on Saturday

You'd be forgiven for raising an eyebrow at Brazilian striker Liliu being next on the list - but he's been banging them in for Nomme Kalju in the Estonian top division. He's netted an amazing 31 goals in 30 games.

Since the 1996/97 season, the Golden Shoe has been awarded based on a points system, with goals scored in Europe's top five leagues - according to the UEFA coefficients - multiplied by a factor of two.

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