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The end of the 2020/21 footballing season is just a few weeks away, with Europe’s top 5 leagues drawing to a close next month. Premier League and Serie A seem to be over already - with Inter Milan set to end Juventus’ dominance of Italian football, while Manchester City are on course to win their 3rd PL title in 4 years.
However, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and La Liga are still open, as teams make one last push for the finish line. We’ve witnessed some scintillating performances across Europe’s top-tiers from some of the best in world football, and the final act of the 20/21 season promises to be a cracker.
On that note, let’s take a look at:
5 players who are leading the Golden Boot standings in the top 5 leagues at the moment
#5 Robert Lewandowski | Bayern Munich
We kick off our countdown with Bundesliga’s top goalscorer - Robert Lewandowski. The Polish goal-machine has accumulated 36 goals from 26 appearances in the Bundesliga.
Lewandowski was the favorite to lift last season’s prestigious Ballon D’Or, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to the award ceremony’s cancelation. This robbed Lewandowski of the title, but he has continued his impressive goalscoring form after the setback.
The 32-year old has been involved in 52 goals (43 goals, 8 assists) from 38 appearances across all competitions this season, including 5 goals in Bayern’s Champions League campaign.
Before his recent injury, Lewandowski was on course to beat Gerd Muller’s long-standing record of 40 league goals in the 1971/72 season. However, the Polish remains the favorite to lift the Bundesliga Golden Boot and is 11 goals ahead of 2nd-placed Erling Haaland.
#4 Kylian Mbappe | Ligue 1
Kylian Mbappe is one of the hottest properties in world football at the moment and he has The Frenchman is currently the leading goalscorer in Ligue 1 this season, having scored 25 goals from 29 matches.
Thanks to his form, PSG have closed the gap with table-toppers Lille OSC - trailing them by just one point, with 4 games to go. Having won the Coupe de France earlier in the season, PSG are one of the few teams in contention for a prestigious European treble.
The Parisians will have Mbappe to thank for his exploits in the Champions League - scoring a hat-trick against Barcelona in the Round of 16. This was followed by another goal in the second leg, and a brace against defending champions, Bayern Munich, in the quarters.
Prior to the second leg against Bayern Munich, Mbappe notched up 8 goals in four consecutive Champions League matches. The Frenchman is well on course to win the Ligue 1 Golden Boot, as he finds himself 7 goals clear of second-placed Memphis Depay.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo | Serie A
Cristiano Ronaldo has conquered yet another country, as he continues his fine goalscoring form for a crumbling Juventus squad.
Juventus have been disastrous throughout the season - having been knocked out by Porto in the Champions League Round of 16, and struggling to hold on to a 4th-place finish in Serie A.
The 9-time consecutive Scudetto winners are doubtful of Champions League qualification next season aswell, as Napoli are just three points off fourth-placed Juventus with a game in hand.
However, Cristiano Ronaldo has been a beacon of light in the dark, as he leads Serie A goalscorer’s chart with 25 goals from 29 appearances. In 40 games across all competitions this season, Ronaldo has scored 32 goals, along with 4 assists.
Ronaldo is Juventus’ leading goalscorer by a country mile, with second-placed Alvaro Morata yet to reach double figures. Without the Portuguese, Juventus would probably be languishing in the bottom half of the table.
#2 Lionel Messi | La Liga
Next up is six-time Ballon D’Or winner, Lionel Messi, who has clawed his way to the top of the La Liga goalscorer’s chart after a slow start to the season.
As it stands, the Argentine wizard has notched up 25 goals from 30 matches in La Liga this season - playing a crucial role in Barcelona’s title challenge. The 33-year old is showing no signs of slowing down, as he has been involved in 47 goals (33 goals, 14 assists) from 43 appearances across all competitions this season.
Messi is a regular feature in the Barcelona starting XI, having played 3,742 minutes for Blaugrana this season - 89% of all the minutes they spent on the pitch. In addition to this, Messi has been involved in 47% of Barcelona’s goals this season, with an astounding xG (expected goals) of 21.30 - one of the highest in Europe’s Top 5 leagues.
Barcelona are in pole position to stage a remarkable comeback and snatch the La Liga title from the grasp of Atletico Madrid. Atletico are currently 2 points clear of third-placed Barcelona, but the Catalans have a game in hand. If Messi can continue his goalscoring form, the Blaugrana’s will be the in pole position to lift their 27th La Liga title.
#1 Harry Kane | Premier League
Much like Ronaldo, Harry Kane has displayed tremendous goalscoring form in a struggling side which is languishing in 7th place in the Premier League table.
Arguably the toughest and most competitive league in world football, the Premier League has become the benchmark for a player’s true potential.
Harry Kane has established himself as the most lethal finisher in English football in the last few years and tops the scoring list this season as well - having bagged 21 goals from 30 Premier League appearances this season. However, the Premier League is witnessing the closest Golden Boot race of the Top 5 leagues - with Mohamed Salah (20 goals) and Bruno Fernandes (16 goals) providing tough competition.
The Englishman has been involved in a whopping 60% of Spurs goals this season, with 47 goals (31 goals, 16 assists) from 45 appearances this season.
