Who will it be? Lionel Messi. followed closely by fellow La Liga maverick, Cristiano Ronaldo, are both odds on favourites to win this years Golden Boot, which goes to the top domestic league scorer in Europe.
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Lionel Messi – Barcelona
Games 38
Goals 39
Value: £100m
The little man from Rosario is, surely, now recognised as the greatest player on the planet, his feats for Barca acquiring him the status of a living legend.
And rightly so, for Messi, on his day – and that, of course, is most days – represents a player who comes almost from a different footballing dimension.
At times it is hard to believe Messi is only human, as he creates space where none exists, finds the key to unlocking any defence, pops up to score with a rapier thrust.
Such talent means that, were he on the market, the auction price might go stratospheric, certainly destroying the current world record place paid by Real Madrid for the Argentine’s only real rival for the label of top dog.
What makes Messi stand apart, for many, is his sheer nervelessness, his courage on the ball, his willingness to put his frail-looking body on the line time and time again.
He knows he is the one player every opposing manager wants to target, to neutralise. He knows that physical bullying is often the only answer.
