5 players who could win the Pichichi if Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were disqualified

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated La Liga's goalscoring charts in recent years, with Luis Suarez the only player to break the duopoly both players have had on the coveted Pichichi crown.

If you remove Messi and Ronaldo, there are a few players who would have a shot at the Trofeo Pichichi. Here are five candidates who are capable enough:

#5 Aritz Aduriz - Athletic Bilbao

He may be ageing, but he’s doing so like a fine wine. Aritz Aduriz has been among La Liga’s top scorers for several years now and has become one of the finest marksmen in Spain since hitting his 30s. Last season alone he scored 16 goals in La Liga, a number topped by only one other Spanish player the domestic top flight.

While often Aduriz is pigeonholed as a brutish, combative striker who excels in the air, it’s often overlooked just how competent he is with the ball at his feet. A goal against Valencia this past week, one of his former clubs, showcased exactly that as he plucked the ball out of the air before swivelling on the spot and firing home. It was an exquisite piece of play and few others have such a rounded game.

Aduriz is a strong presence in attack, able to hold the ball up and be the catalyst for all of Athletic’s attacking output. He’s even been known to drop out wide and help progress play too, such is the volume of work he puts in for the team. It’s incredible to think at 36 years old he’s better than ever.

#4 Cedric Bakambu - Villarreal

Bought for just €7m back in 2015, the DR Congo striker has proved to be yet another example of Villarreal’s fine track record in the transfer market. Following on from other attacking success stories as Diego Forlan, Giuseppe Rossi, Nilmar and Luciano Vietto, the signing of Bakambu has seen Villarreal maintain their place among La Liga’s chasing pack.

In 92 games, Bakambu has racked up 39 goals to date is already on course to make 2017/18 one of his most prolific years since signing for the Spanish side. The Congolese is a scintillating mix of attributes; boasting raw power and pace but also intelligent with his movement in and around the penalty area.

He’s quick and strong enough to burst past defenders but also smart enough to pick the timing of his runs, and evade being tracked by an opponent. This makes him an uncomfortable task for any defender, and it’s no surprise that Bakambu has fired on all cylinders ever since arriving in La Liga.

#3 Maxi Gomez - Celta Vigo

It was a big statement for Celta Vigo to hand over €4m to Defensor Sporting for the services of Maxi Gomez. The Galician aren’t particularly well off financially but they deemed the Uruguayan a good enough talent - and all signs are they might’ve snapped up the next great South American striker.

Gomez is a pure striker who has one job and does it well; score goals. His all-round game is quite basic, though signs are he’s improving in terms of his work outside the penalty area and when it comes to linking up with teammates. Regardless of this, Gomez is prolific in the penalty area when it comes to finishing, and his movement is deadly. He’s a striker who is always alert and comes alive when chances come his way.

He can finish by poaching with his feet or head, and this makes him difficult to shut down. Add in that he’s an aggressive, bullish sort on the field then the comparisons to Diego Costa are not far off the mark. While the 21-year-old is only in his first season in Europe, he’s shown he can adapt quickly and this suggests in the future there is a lot more to come.

#2 Antoine Griezmann - Atletico Madrid

The rise of Antoine Griezmann to becoming a world-class star has coincided with his move to Atletico Madrid in 2014 and subsequent seasons spent with Diego Simeone. The Frenchman has moved from a winger to an elite attacker, capable of showing all the hallmarks of a natural striker.

Griezmann’s ability to score consistently and at key moments across the course of the season has been staggering, and only four players bettered his tally of 16 La Liga goals last season. The other players were all out and out attackers by trade, while the 26-year-old Atleti star has had to shape his game.

At times Atleti are too reliant on Griezmann, but he rarely shirks the responsibility and delivers when it matters most. Griezmann can penetrate defences with his speed and dribbling ability, but more often than not in recent seasons, he’s shown the ability to be a threat inside the penalty area with his brilliant timing or runs and habit of being in the right place at the right time.

#1 Luis Suarez - Barcelona

For some time now Luis Suarez has been the best number nine in the world, and there was even one point in recent years he became the headline act for MSN.

While the spotlight often focused on the sheer star power of Neymar and Lionel Messi, it was Suarez in 2015/2016 that stole the Pichichi away from his Argentinean teammate and Cristiano Ronaldo. Suarez scored a hat-trick on the final day of that season to register 40 league goals, becoming the first player other than Cristiano or Messi since 2009 to win the trophy - and get his hands on the European Golden Shoe award.

The incredible achievement showed that Suarez was not a mere support act in MSN, and he too could reach incredible heights. The Uruguayan is a tenacious, driven force in attack fuelled by his own personal desire that can sometimes make it so he plays on the edge. Suarez is the complete attacker, able to support others and sacrifice himself for the good of the team - but also show the instincts and finishing quality of an elite striker.

His development into the best striker in the world has been remarkable to oversee since joining Liverpool, and now Suarez has shown he can compete alongside the very best players in the world.

Edited by Amit Mishra