Top 10 goalscorers in European leagues in 2014-15

3. Jonathan Soriano (Red Bull Salzburg) – 31 goals

Jonathan Soriano

Joining Zahavi in the upper echelons of the rankings from another subaltern league is Red Salzburg’s Jonathan Soriano, who is one of the only 3 players in Europe to cross the 30-goal mark for the season.

The Spanish native not only helped his side retain the Austrian Bundesliga title, but also emerged as the league's highest goal getter for the second year running.

2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 43 goals

Lionel Messi

No surprises here. Barcelona’s chieftain Lionel Messi was at it again this term, after a disappointing 2013/14 season, albeit, by his own standards. Having started the season in the centre of the 3 pronged attack, Messi was given a more creative role on the right to accommodate the arrival of Luis Suarez. Suffice to say, the twinkle-toed Argentine reigned supreme.

Messi featured in every minute of every league game, barring the game at Scoiedad where he was brought on at half time, but it was only since the turn of the year that he conjured his scoring best.

Having finished the first half of the season with 15 strikes, the Blaugrana No. 10 went on to add 28 to that tally since January, including the goal against Atletico Madrid in the penultimate match that sealed the league title for Barcelona.

43 goals is an impressive count by all accounts, but still wasn't good enough to fetch him his 4th Golden Boot.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 48 goals

Cristiano Ronaldo

It was Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo, who usurped Messi for the coveted prize with his mammoth 48-goal haul in La Liga. The Portuguese was in the form of his life, scoring goals at a barely believable rate. Records kept tumbling, but there was simply no stopping the Ballon d’Or holder, who tore every opposition defence asunder.

The reigning Ballon d’Or winner even struck 10 goals in the Champions League, where Real’s run was halted in the semi-finals by Juventus.

Real Madrid although weren't able to build on last season’s success and ended the current one empty handed, their ebullient winger burnished his status as the world's best.