4 players who could win the Pichichi this season

In Spanish football, the Pichichi is awarded by the sports newspaper Marca to the top goalscorer of each LaLiga season. The Pichichi trophy has been won by Telmo Zarra for a record 6 times, an Athletic Bilbao player who scored 335 goals in his 15 year career for his side.

However, Leo Messi has won it 5 times, one less than the record holder. It still remains to be seen if the Argentine will end up being a joint record holder, if not overtaking Zarra instead.

Well this term, the competition for the Pichichi has improved as the likes of Benzema and Gareth Bale look in form and determined to score. Though Ronaldo left LaLiga, the level of competition in Spain still is as great as ever.

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#4 Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale - lethal

Underrated by many, Gareth Bale is one of the most promising forwards across Spain. His injuries have been a constant threat to his starting position at Real Madrid, but this season the Welshman looks more confident and determined to take good care of his health and be a consistent player till the end of the season.

Bale has commenced the 2018-19 season with 3 goals to his name in just 3 games, with one assist as well. His pairing with Benzema looks robust as either of them has scored in every match they have played together in this LaLiga season.

Gareth Bale could conquer all his critics this season, as the 29 year old plans to leave his mark on the Santiago Bernabeu. He looks quite better than in previous seasons he has played for The Whites, and a Pichichi to end the season with doesn't look improbable.

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#3 Iago Aspas

Iago Aspas

Though he has had a slow start, the Spanish striker has the calibre to finish in the top 3, if not finish first. He has spent most of his career with Celta Vigo, appearing in 308 official games over the course of 9 seasons, scoring 122 goals. He made his LaLiga debut with the club in 2012, and moved to Liverpool the following year, returning to Celta in 2015.

Iago Aspas was titled 'a flop' at Liverpool, and his years in England is something the Spanish striker might wish to forget.

However, Aspas is one of the best strikers across Spain, with the 31 year old giving consistent performances each week for Celta Vigo. He scored 22 goals last term, and also bagged 5 assists. Aspas is one top contender for the Pichichi.

All stats via transfermarkt

#2 Benzema

The new main man for the Los Blancos - Karim Benzema

People thought that the departure of Ronaldo from the Bernabeu would result in a downward spiral in Benzema's abilities. However, the Frenchman has been sensational since the very first game in LaLiga. He has scored 4 goals in 3 matches, with Real Madrid playing more as a team since the departure of their talisman.

Benzema's positioning is still as great as ever, and Bale's pinpoint crosses always tend to find the right man.

Real Madrid fans have lacked respect for the Frenchman, mainly because he is known for missing sitters and being a liability for the team, something which I do not completely agree with.

However, he seems to be focused this season and has converted the chances he has got. Is this the beginning of a new yet short era of Benzema's greatness, considering the fact that age is not on his side.

#1 Leo Messi

Leo Messi trying to score against Deportivo Alaves

Unsurprisingly, Leo Messi tops the list of the likeliest players to win the Pichichi 2018-19, and why wouldn't he? The Argentine bagged 34 goals and 12 assists last season, being the top scorer of LaLiga 2017-18, and the top assist provider as well.

Leo's ability to score goals and create plays never seems to deteriorate. The 31-year-old ages like wine, just getting better and better with years passing by. His form in the domestic games has never been a reason for concern for the manager, as he never fails to impress. The Argentine has already scored 4 goals and assisted twice in just 3 matches.

Leo has won the Pichichi 5 times, and he would not mind winning it once again, equaling the record set by Telmo Zarra back in 1950.