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Good goalscorers are an asset to each and every team in the world. Goals are the most important criteria to decide a match and there is no doubt that the goalscorer carriers huge responsibility in their respective teams.
As historically evident, teams without a good striker face difficulties or underperformed due to lack of goals. The current 2018-19 season is well underway and without further ado, let us evaluate the top 5 hottest strikers in Europe at the moment.
#1 Lionel Messi (21 goals all competitions) :
When we talk about goalscorers or make a top five list about current individual players, it is almost a crime to miss out on Lionel Messi. Adjectives are not enough to describe his familiar exploits on the pitch.
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Considering the current season, Leo Messi has been at his very best in all competitions. Barring his goals for Argentina, Leo Messi is already the top scorer of LaLiga with nine goals and scored five goals in just two UEFA Champions League appearances.
Although there is no doubt about Messi's impact on his teams, his goals came at a vital moment and helped both his club and country from losing the match. He was out injured in the past month yet he still sits top at the goalscoring charts this season.
#2 Mauro Icardi ( 12 goals all competition )
Although there are players who have scored more than Mauro Icardi did this season, his impact for his club is probably greater than the rest. He already scored seven goals in the Seria A with not more than 108 minutes separating the goals.
But one can almost say that he is the most pivotal reason for Inter's recent success in the UEFA Champions League. He already has three goals in the Champions League in just four appearances. It was almost shocking how Icardi was not chosen to feature for Argentina in the World Cup.
Moreover, he averages just four shots per game in the UEFA Champions League due to Inter's defensive style of play. There is no doubt his red-hot form will play a crucial role in Inter's success in the near future.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo ( 15 goals all competition )
For the last decade and more, Cristiano Ronaldo's name was bound to be on the list of top goalscorers. And even after changing his club at 33, he is still the same.
Cristiano Ronaldo is still the driving force in his new team, impeccable with his finishing and stepping up when his team needs him the most. He already scored eight goals after moving to the Seria A and some of them were absolutely crucial.
Like Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo's form was crucial for Portugal's superb form in the group stages which included a hattrick against Spain. He is yet to get into his usual self in the UEFA Champions League due to an unfortunate red card and lack of chances.
It is shocking how Cristiano still maintains to be the top-notch finisher he once was at this age. He will soon turn 34 but he is showing no signs of slowing down. His goal scoring prowess will be the key if Juventus want their much coveted European glory.
#4 Paco Alcacer ( 13 goals all competition )
With just 29 minutes per goal in Bundesliga, Paco Alcacer has been the talking point of Europe since the start of the season. His eight goals in the league propelled Dortmund to the pole position in the Bundesliga.
His revival at Borussia Dortmund as a loanee is one of the key reasons for Dortmund's excellent season so far. He is the super sub of Dortmund as five of his appearances are as a substitute and he has scored eight. His efficiency in front of goal is almost untouchable and his performances are enough to grab the attention of the whole world.
Paco Alcacer has saved his team more than a couple of times as a substitute and changed the entire flow of the play with his quick goals. He has lesser minutes than any other top goalscorer in Europe which makes him a player to watch out for.
#5 Karim Benzema ( 10 goals in all competitions )
Karim Benzema recently scored his 200th goal for Real Madrid and it is amazing how he has been a silent protector in the last decade. And in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema had to take the responsibility of Real Madrid's goal scoring and he did just that.
He has scored in every competition for Real Madrid this season. He has already scored three goals in the UEFA Champions League out of his four appearances, one in the UEFA Super Cup and five in the LaLiga.
Over the years, Benzema often sacrificed his usual space for stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. But he changed his dynamic this season due to requirements of his team. As a result, he has more goals than forwards like Harry Kane, Lewandowski and Cavani after the World Cup.
Despite Real Madrid's misery in front of goal this season with the absence of Cristiano, Benzema has managed to be better than most in the starting XI. It is almost confirmed that Karim Benzema is the mainstay of Real Madrid's attack and he needs to continue his red-hot form if Real Madrid wants to win a trophy this season.
