Skip to main content

Messi closes in on European golden shoe

The Argentina forward has 31 goals in La Liga this season after his double for Barcelona against Tenerife on Tuesday, giving him 62 points in the race to be named the continent's leading marksman with two matches still to play.

Udinese's Antonio Di Natale, Chelsea's Didier Drogba and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, who all have 26 goals and 52 points, have a slim chance of overhauling FIFA World Player of the Year Messi, with two Serie A matches and one Premier League game left.

"He was chasing passes in second-half added time with the same enthusiasm as if it were the first minute," Guardiola said at a news conference after Barca went four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

"That's because he's a born goalscorer and he has that gift," he added.

Goals scored in Europe's top leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga are awarded two points and those in less prestigious leagues 1.5 points.

Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan won the shoe last season with 32 goals.

Follow FFT.com on Twitter
Join FFT.com on Facebook