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Lionel Messi’s transfer to Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) last summer was met with mixed reactions. While Barcelona fans were pained to see their messiah in another jersey, neutral fans were unsure what to make of it. Everyone knows the ability the Argentine possesses, but could he do it in another league?
The PSG number 30’s record in Ligue 1 has been far from impressive. Messi has scored just one goal in the French top flight in 12 appearances. His PSG teammates Thilo Kehrer, Danilo Pereira and Julian Draxler have all scored more goals than him.
Plenty of players have outscored Lionel Messi in Ligue 1 this season
Over 100 players have scored two or more goals in the ongoing Ligue 1 campaign. However, one of the greatest players of all time has just one goal to his credit. Although his form in the Champions League has been splendid - five goals in as many hames - Messi has flattered to deceive in Ligue 1.
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There are plenty of relatively lesser-known players who have netted more times than Messi this season. On that note, here’s a look at five players who have surprisingly scored more Ligue 1 goals this season than the former Barcelona star.
#5 Hugo Ekitike - 8
Hugo Ekitike has scored eight goals and provided one assist this season. The Stade Reims striker is having a breakthrough campaign that has seen his market value go up from €600K to €6 million. The 19-year-old is one of the brightest French attacking talents at the moment.
Ekitike was particularly impressive in November and December. The teenager scored five goals in the span of eight games. He came off the bench to score two clutch late goals against Ligue 1 giants Lyon and Marseille.
The left-footed forward can play as striker or left winger. The Frenchman has been central to Reims’ fortunes this term. He is by far the top scorer at the club this season, with no other teammate scoring more than two goals.
#4 Hwang Ui-jo - 9
Hwang Ui-jo has scored nine Ligue 1 goals this season. Unlike Ekitike, Ui-jo is a more established and experienced player, having won the Asian Games with South Korea. He has scored 27 league goals during the last three Ligue 1 campaigns.
The 29-year-old has scored 14 goals in 40 games at international level. After spending most of his career in the South Korean and Japanese leagues, Ui-jo joined Bordeaux for €2 million in 2019. Considering his goal record, he has been an astute signing.
The South Korean international’s goals have been extremely crucial for Bordeaux. They have lost just one match in which Ui-jo has scored. He recently scored a sensational hat-trick in their 4-3 win over RC Strasbourg.
#3 Mohamed Bayo - 9
Mohamed Bayo is another player who has scored more Ligue 1 goals than Lionel Messi this season. The Clermont youth academy graduate has been an excellent goalscorer for the newly-promoted side. He has scored nine goals in the French top flight so far.
The 23-year-old is of Guinean descent, and is currently representing Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations. He is the highest-scoring African goalscorer in Ligue 1 this term. In Ligue 2, Bayo scored 22 goals in 38 appearances last campaign to earn promotion for his side.
The Clermont centre-forward started the season exceedingly well. He scored three goals in two games, which propelled Clermont to the top of the points table. Thanks to their talismanic striker, the reigning Ligue 2 champions are not in the relegation zone.
#2 Martin Terrier - 10
Martin Terrier is a prominent player in the French football scene. The left winger has scored ten league goals this season. Needless to say, he is having a far better season than his fellow winger Lionel Messi.
Terrier has already trumped his previous personal record of nine goals in Ligue 1. He has formed a formidable partnership with Gaetan Laborde. They have scored more goals together than the trio of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi.
The Rennes forward scored a brilliant hat-trick against St Etienne in December. His pace, coupled with precise finishing, has helped him score a goal in six victories for his club. Bruno Genesio will hope his 24-year-old winger can keep up the same form for the rest of the Ligue 1 season.
#1 Ludovic Ajorque - 10
Ludovic Ajorque is by far the most prolific name on this list. He has been a consistent goalscorer for RC Strasbourg since his move to the club in 2018. The tall striker has scored ten goals in Ligue 1 this season, comfortably outscoring Lionel Messi by nine.
In fact, Ajorque has scored more penalties than the total league goals scored by Messi. While the two players' careers are not even comparable, the Strasbourg striker has been much better than Messi recently. Overall, he has scored 43 times in 106 Ligue 1 outings.
Strasbourg are in the top four, courtesy of their lethal attack. Ajorque has helped earn them 23 points out of a total of 35. Apart from scoring ten goals, the former Clermont forward has also registered four assists.
