Ronaldo outshines Messi to top Golden Shoe race
Monday, April 23, 2012
Article summary
Cristiano Ronaldo retained top spot in the ESM Golden Shoe rankings after overshadowing Lionel Messi with an imperious Clásico performance, to earn Real Madrid CF a vital 2-1 win.
Article top media content
Article body
Cristiano Ronaldo edged clear of Lionel Messi in his bid to retain the ESM Golden Shoe after firing an unprecedented 42nd Liga goal at the weekend.
Messi has hit three league goals since our last update, but 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo scored five in the same period, culminating in Real Madrid CF's winner against FC Barcelona on Saturday, a goal that left his side seven points clear at the top of the Spanish table.
Ronaldo's deft finish, his seventh in five league appearances, saw Madrid's Liga goal tally for the season rise to a new Spanish top-flight best of 109 and also condemned Josep Guardiola's side to their first home defeat in 55 matches.
The biggest mover in the European domestic goalscorers' charts is Wayne Rooney, who has moved up from ninth to fourth with five goals in his last four league games. However, his double on Sunday was not enough to prevent Manchester United FC surrendering a two-goal lead twice in their dramatic 4-4 draw with Everton FC. The England striker is now within touching distance of Robin van Persie, who has scored just once in his last seven appearances.
ESM Golden Shoe standings: 22 April 2012
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid CF) 42 x 2 = 84
2. Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) 41 x 2 = 82
3. Robin van Persie (Arsenal FC) 27 x 2 = 54
4. Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC) 26 x 2 = 52
5= Mario Gomez (FC Bayern München) 25 x 2 = 50
5= Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (FC Schalke 04) 25 x 2 = 50
6= Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan) 24 x 2 = 48
6= Burak Yilmaz (Trabzonspor AŞ) 32 x 1,5 = 48
7. Aleksandrs Cekulajevs (JK Trans Narva) 46 x 1 = 46
8= Sergio Agüero (Manchester City FC) 22 x 2 = 44
8= Falcao (Club Atlético de Madrid) 22 x 2 = 44
Rules
Only the leading five countries – Spain, Italy, Germany, France and England – in the UEFA rankings have two as their multiplier. This is to emphasise the difference in (international) performance level between clubs from those countries and those of other nations.
A player cannot play first in a summer league (e.g. Norway) and then in a winter league (e.g. Spain) and combine the points totals for each season.
