Barça's Leo Messi builds a lead in race for European Golden Shoe
The Argentine scored twice in his side's win over Real Madrid
He now has 31 La Liga goals this season
The two goals Lionel Messi scored against Real Madrid were not just decisive in terms of winning the game. They weren't just decisive in terms of taking Barça top of La Liga. The two goals, in addition, also increased the Argentine's lead in the race for Europe's Golden Shoe.
After those two goals, Messi now has 31 league goals this season. Keeping in mind goals in La Liga are worth 2.0 points, Messi has 62 points this season. He is followed by Bas Dost, who plays in Portugal's top flight and has 28 goals -- also worth 2.0 points -- which equates to 56 points. The podium is completed by Borussia Dortmund's Pierre Emerick Aubameyang who has 54 points thanks to 27 goals.
If we only focus on goals, Messi would be level with Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani. The PSG man has 31 goals as well, but France's top flight is only worth 1.5 points per goal, so he has 46.5 points.
In the Golden Shoe 2016/2017, Luis Suerez is seventh with 24 goals and 48 points, tied with Icardi and Lukaku, To find Cristiano Ronaldo you have to go down to 15th, where he is found with 19 goals and 38 points.
