Top Contenders for the European Golden Shoe Race: December 2018

#8 Sebastien Haller (9 goals – 18 points)

Sebastien Haller has been a revelation in the Bundesliga this season

Many football fans may not have heard enough about Sebastien Haller until today, but the Eintracht Frankfurt forward has been one of the revelations this season. The 24-year-old has taken the German top flight by storm and sits top of the Bundesliga scoring charts.

Haller has netted an impressive nine goals this season, with six more assists to his name. His goals are the reason why Frankfurt lie on 3rd place in the Bundesliga – ahead of Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.

The France U-21 international is still developing, but his goal-scoring exploits make him one of the top contenders for the European Golden Shoe award.

#7 Lionel Messi (9 goals – 18 points)

Lionel Messi has some catching up to do in this year's Golden Shoe race

Five-time European Golden Shoe award winner Lionel Messi comes in seventh place, also with nine goals and six assists to his name. The Barcelona star has battled with injury problems this season, having sat out a couple of weeks after injuring his hand.

However, he is still as sharp as ever in front of goal. Last season at this same period, Messi had netted more, but that does not in any way dim his chances this term. The Argentine is a player who has proven time without number that he can score goals out of nothing.

It is still too early to make predictions, however, Messi is sure to be competing for the European Golden Shoe at the end of the season per his record.