Top 10 contenders for the pichichi in 2012/13 season

With the new La Liga season kicking off and that too in an interesting fashion, the focus will start to shift towards the Goals scored section as the race for Pichichi is bound to heat up over the coming months. I would like to list down the top five contenders to win the Pichichi in the upcoming season:

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 19: Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid runs with the ball during the La Liga match between Real madrid and Valencia at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 19, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

He is quickly becoming synonmous with scoring goals. The Madrista show stopper is certainly among the best players in the world and scores for fun. Last season he lost out on his pichichi title to Lionel Messi , ironically having scored 5 more goals than in the 2010/11 season when he won the pichichi by breaking the record for most league goals scored, scoring 40 goals. CR7 is certainly in his prime and Madrid fans would be hoping that he improves on his phenomenal goal scoring tally because if he continues scoring goals Madrid have a great chance of retaining the title.Expect him to be one of the front runners for the Pichichi.

2. Gonzalo Higuain – Real Madrid

MADRID, SPAIN – AUGUST 19: Gonzalo Higuain of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates his first goal during the La Liga match between Real madrid and Valencia at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 19, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)

Strong, clever, fast and an expert finisher, these are just some of the attributes of the Real Madrid hitman. Over the course of 5 seasons he has shown that goal scoring is in his veins and after breaking back into the first team he will be expected to finish off Madrid moves and thus becomes a contender for the Pichichi.

3. Karim Benzema – Real Madrid

CARSON, CA – AUGUST 02: Karim Benzama #9 of Real Madrid is unable to score a goal against Brian Perk #24 of Los Angeles Galaxy during the World Football Challenge at The Home Depot Center on August 2, 2012 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Another member of the Real Madrid squad who is bound to be a contender for the Pichichi. He is 24 and an excellent finisher. Last season he finally began to settle into the first team and scoring goals and with Mourinho deciding to use him and Higuain in rotation he should get enough game time to contend for the pichichi though the same factor lessens his contention too.

4. David Villa – FC Barcelona

He is back and back are his chances of winning the Pichichi. He was ruled out of the second half of the last season and Barcelona did miss him in certain matches despite Messi being in sublime form. With him coming back and grabbing a goal on his comeback, it is imperative that this poacher will have set his sights on the Pichichi as he wishes to make up for all the lost time and goals.

5. Lionel Messi – FC Barcelona

BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 19: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona looks on during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Camp Nou on August 19, 2012 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Don’t be fooled by the number he appears at this is just a list, no priority order, as for me this Argentine magician is going to be the biggest bet for the Pichichi. Having scored an insane 50 goals in the liga and 73 on a whole the current Pichichi holder is just as much likely to do it this season too. He has already opened his scoring chart and does not look like stopping anytime soon. With Xavi, Fabregas and Iniesta there to provide him the opportunity it is going to be extremely hard to stop him. He himself added the best is yet to come, and believe me, Liga defenders don’t want to be against him, as for now he is looking in good touch and punters too back him to become the highest goal scorer and break his own records.

6. Radamel Falcao – Atlectico Madrid

BUCHAREST, ROMANIA – MAY 09: Radamel Falcao of Atletico Madrid in action during the UEFA Europa League Final between Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao at the National Arena on May 9, 2012 in Bucharest, Romania. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

His rise to the top has been nothing short of spectacular, last season he took the Liga by storm hitting 24 goals and 39 overall. He is agile, strong, powerful, brilliant in the air and can use both his feet. His attributes make him an excellent finisher and he will be a serious contender for the Pichichi. Give him a chance and he will finish it off. He is going to lead Atlectico Madrid’s front line and goals are going to arrive.

7. Roberto Saldado – Valencia

VALENCIA, SPAIN – JULY 28: Roberto Soldado of Valencia poses prior to a Pre-Season friendly match between Valencia CF and FC Porto at Estadio Mestalla on July 28, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

He is Valencia’s captain and their best player. Last season was his best where he grabbed 27 goals with 17 in the Liga and is expected to contest for the Pichichi this time around.

8. Fernando Llorente – Athletic Bilbao

KIEV, UKRAINE – JULY 01: Sergio Ramos and Fernando Llorente of Spain celebrate with the trophy following victory in the UEFA EURO 2012 final match between Spain and Italy at the Olympic Stadium on July 1, 2012 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

There are talks of him leaving doing rounds but if he stays he will be up there challenging for the Pichichi. Tall, fast and clever he is a goal scorer and expect him to be among the goals again this season.

9. Alvaro Negredo – Sevilla

DONETSK, UKRAINE – JUNE 27: Cesc Fabregas replaces Alvaro Negredo of Spain during the UEFA EURO 2012 semi final match between Portugal and Spain at Donbass Arena on June 27, 2012 in Donetsk, Ukraine. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Last season was not his best but he is a proven goal scorer and is expected to be among goals this time around.

10. Rubin Castro – Real Betis

Never heard of him? Well there is a chance you might hear it soon. He scored 16 times last season in the Liga and is expected to score more this season.

Honourable mentions should go to Alexis Sanchez of FC Barcelona, Carlos Vela of Real Sociedad,Arouna Kone of Levante,and Miku of Getafe.

Lastly though I took the pain of compiling this list and you of reading it, maybe we all know that it is going to be one of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.( No disrespect to others)