Lionel Messi goes three goals ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo for the European Golden Shoe

What's the news?

Lionel Messi found the back of the net yet again to score his 22nd league goal of the season against Real Valladolid. The 5-time Ballon d'Or winner has now scored 30 or more goals in all competitions for the 11 consecutive seasons with FC Barcelona.

In case you didn't know...

After a disappointing draw against Athletico Bilbao last Monday, Barcelona returned to the winning ways as they beat Valladolid in their league game at Camp Nou.

Barcelona were the better side right from the start and take the lead through Lionel Messi, as he successfully converted from the spot just two minutes before the half time whistle. The Argentine got another opportunity to increase his team's advantage from the spot in the second half, but Valladolid goalkeeper Jordi Masip came on top second time.

The Blaugrana are currently at the top of the LaLiga table and extended their lead to seven points with this victory.

The heart of the matter

Lionel Messi is now three goals ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the European Golden Shoe, as he scored Barcelona's only in their 1-0 against Valladolid at Camp Nou.

The Argentine is followed by Cristiano Ronaldo(19 goals) and Kylian Mbappe(18 goals), with Mohamed Salah, Edinson Cavani, Krzysztof Piatek & Sergio Aguero also not too far behind them with 17 goals respectively.

The Barcelona man is currently the leading goalscorer in the LaLiga and is only behind Robert Lewandowski as the Champions League top goalscorer. Messi won the European Golden Shoe consecutively in the last two seasons and will be looking forward to completing his hat-trick this campaign.

What's next?

Barcelona will play Lyon FC at Lyon Olympic Stadium for the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie next before squaring off against Sevilla in the league on February 23.