'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
La Liga has been graced by world-class attackers who have run riot with their incredible exploits in front of goal. No wonder the division has produced some of the most thrilling Golden Boot races seen over the years, especially in the last few seasons.
Lionel Messi's departure from Barcelona this summer has opened the opportunity for other players to step up. It'll be really interesting to see who makes a mark in La Liga this season.
A few players are already making waves with their prolific returns in front of goal. On that note, here's a look at the five contenders to win the La Liga Golden Boot (Pichichi) award this season:
#5 Memphis Depay
Memphis Depay joined Barcelona on a free transfer this summer, and has had a promising start to life at Camp Nou. After the departure of Lionel Messi, the Dutchman has carried a bulk of the team's goalscoring burden.
Trending
The attacker is one the elite finishers in La Liga at the moment, scoring seven goals in 13 games. He has also bagged two assists for the Blaugrana in the Spanish top flight so far.
It is worth noting that Barcelona have had a sluggish start to the season, which has adversely impacted Depay's return in front of goal. They will hope the Dutchman continues his hot streak as they seek to climb up the La Liga table.
#4 Raul de Tomas
Raul de Tomas is another player who could be a contender for the La Liga Golden Boot award this season, thanks to his impressive start to the campaign. The Espanyol striker has been one of the most potent finishers in the Spanish top flight since the beginning of the season.
So far, he has bagged seven goals for the Barcelona-based club in 13 appearances. He is one of the top goalscorers in the division at the moment, and has also bagged two assists.
One laudable thing about De Tomas is that he has scored against some of the biggest clubs in La Liga this season. The likes of Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid have all been at the receiving end of the player in La Liga this season.
#3 Luis Suarez
It comes as no surprise to find prolific La Liga scorer Luis Suarez on this list. The Atletico Madrid striker has been one of the most potent attackers in the competition since his arrival in 2014. Like in recent years, he remains one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot award this season.
Suarez has made 13 appearances for Atletico in La Liga this season, bagging seven goals and two assists. He has also proven himself in the big games, scoring against his former club Barcelona. Suarez has also netted league goals against Real Sociedad and Getafe this campaign.
The forward is no stranger to the La Liga Golden Boot award. He won the Pichichi award in the 2015-16 campaign, and will fancy his chances of winning it again this ongoing season.
#2 Vinicius Junior
It has been a blistering start to the La Liga season for Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian has been a huge revelation since the beginning of the campaign, with his stunning exploits in front of goal.
No one expected a significant improvement from the 21-year-old this season. But he is now among the finest finishers in the division. This campaign, Vinicius Junior has recorded an impressive tally of eight goals in 13 La Liga appearances. He has also bagged three assists, helping Real Madrid climb atop the La Liga table.
Apart from his goals and assists, the Brazilian has also dazzled on the left flank. That has played a key role in Real Madrid breaking down opposition defences. He's certainly one of the contenders for the La Liga Golden Boot this season.
It remains to be seen if he can keep up his impressive exploits till the end of the campaign.
#1 Karim Benzema
Another Real Madrid player on the list, Karim Benzema, appears to be in pole position to win this season's La Liga Golden Boot award. The Frenchman finished second to Messi last campaign, and will be confident of claiming it this time following the departure of the former Barcelona captain.
Benzema currently leads the goalscoring charts in the Spanish top flight. with ten goals in 12 appearances. He also tops the assists chart, having set up his teammates on seven occasions thus far.
It would be a huge achievement for the Frenchman to win his first La Liga Golden Boot award this season. He scored his 200th goal in the competition earlier this campaign.
