Lionel Messi closing in on Cristiano Ronaldo as Liga's Pichichi race hots up

After his double against Elche, Lionel Messi now has 21 goals in la Liga, just seven less than Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Pichichi.

Messi's goals have come from 20 appearances, maintaining the strike rate he has been able to set in recent seasons. The Argentine star is also the top assist-giver in the league, with 10, after providing two goals for Neymar on Saturday. 

The curious data among all this, however, is that Messi's penalty against Elche was his first goal from the spot in la Liga this season, while Ronaldo has struck from 12-yards on eight occasions. 

It's true that Messi missed his first penalty against Levante in September, but the reality is that goals from the spot are directly the difference between the two players competing for the Pichichi.

Without counting penalties, Messi would be tied with Ronaldo on 20 goals in the battle to finish the Primera Division's top scorer.

Now, following his actions against Cordoba which led to a red card, Ronaldo could miss two or three league games, handing 'La Pulga' the chance to close the gap between the forwards. 

Of course, that will not be Leo Messi's priority in the coming games, but it is something which will aid the principle objective: To win all possible games with Barça in the fight for the title. 

But if Barça's No10 manages to catch Cristiano, it wouldn't be a bad thing.