Golden Shoe 2018/19: January Rankings (Top 5 Leagues)

#2 Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus, Serie A - 14 Goals (28 points)

Cristiano Ronaldo has been in fine form in the Serie A

Down to ten men. Trailing by a goal. Whom would you bring on to save the blushes? Ask Juventus. Ronaldo came on as a super sub and scored in the crucial situation saving the unbeaten streak of Juventus on Boxing day against Atalanta.

You cannot keep this man down the rankings. The ability to score and prove decisive in crucial moments has been Ronaldo's hallmark.

He again proved his worth against Sampdoria which led Juventus to finish the first half of the season with the maximum points ever.

Many have written off the rivalry of Messi and Ronaldo. But Ronaldo is the kind of a player, who comes once in generations.

He is unarguably the greatest showman Football has ever produced and even after switching leagues, he is giving nightmares to Lionel Messi by scoring in the super defensive Italian league. The battle for the Golden Shoe has become interesting more than ever.

Appearances:19 | Goals Scored: 14 | Assists: 6 | Match Winners: 6

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#1 Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona, La Liga - 15 Goals (30 points)

He has managed to snatch the top spot in the rankings and is continuing his brilliance in La Liga

The greatest ever? As long as Cristiano is there, the debate will go on for eternity. But Messi is doing what he does the best. He has managed to snatch the top spot in the rankings and is continuing his brilliance in La Liga. Words are less for explaining the Messi mania.

He has scored six goals with a hat-trick and a brace in the month. He also produced seven assists.

The duel of Ronaldo and Messi is the one we have been used to for the last decade. It is still hard to digest how this man was out of the top three in the Ballon d'Or rankings '2018.

It seems he has taken it too seriously and is flying high this campaign. It would be difficult to stop him. Only one man who goes by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo seems to challenge his legacy and he is doing the same with utmost responsibility.

Appearances:15 | Goals Scored: 15 | Assists: 11 | Match Winners: 2

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So, as we enter the winter break, the rankings have returned to normalcy with Messi at the top followed by Ronaldo. And after the break begins the beautiful part of the campaign. Keep visiting for the latest rankings as we will update them after the month. Till then, let us enjoy the mesmerizing hurricanes of Europe.

Courtesy: The data has been taken from Transfermarkt to prepare the list

Happy New Year once again!!!