Top 5 contenders for the Pichichi trophy right now

The battle for the Pichichi trophy is one thing that makes La Liga more interesting every season, as top attackers face one another in an intense contest to claim the honor.

Argentine maestro Lionel Messi claimed the Pichichi trophy last season, beating his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo to the accolade with his incredible 34 goals in 36 La Liga appearances. With the Portuguese having left the Spanish top flight for Juventus last summer, Messi remains the hot favorite to retain the honor during the current campaign.

However, the Barcelona maestro will not find it easy at all, as a couple of other attackers have also joined the race - putting in incredible efforts and making strong statements with their amazing goalscoring exploits.

These superstars are firing on all cylinders right now and they are going to make sure the battle for the Pichichi trophy gets to an intense level. Therefore, we have decided to highlight the top 5 contenders for the accolade at the moment, ranking them in respect to their goal tallies so far during the season.

#5. Charles

The Eibar attacker has rejuvenated himself in front of goal this season

After spending a lot of years playing in the Segunda division, Brazilian striker Charles Dias de Oliveira is finally making a name for himself in Spain's elite league right now, as he continues to plunge in the goals for Eibar this season.

The attacker has caught many by surprise in the La Liga with his explosive performances since the beginning of the campaign, rejuvenating himself in front of goal and putting in a great fight for the Pichichi trophy.

Charles has recorded an amazing 12 goals to his name in 21 La Liga appearances so far this season, putting himself among the elite finishers in the Spanish top flight and he will be keen to add more to his tally, with plenty of games still left.

Also see : Fantasy Premier League , Fantasy Premier League Tips, Intercontinental Cup

#4. Antoine Griezmann

The Frenchman continues to fire in the goals in the Spanish top flight

Atletico Madrid might not have been at their ultimate level in the La Liga this season, but the Rojiblancos have somehow managed to keep themselves in the title race, thanks to the immense efforts of their hitman, Antoine Griezmann who has managed to keep them in contention with his fantastic exploits in front of goal.

The French International has been one of the top performing attackers in the La Liga for the past few years and he has lived up to the reputation once again this season, finding the back of the net consistently as he continues to immortalize his name at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Griezmann is currently one of the top contenders for the Pichichi trophy at the moment, with his incredible 12 goals in 24 La Liga appearances so far during the campaign.

#3. Christian Stuani

Stuani has been a great influence in front of goal in the La Liga this season

It has been a very prolific campaign for Girona striker Christian Stuani so far this season, with the Uruguayan International having raised his game to an incredible height and becoming almost unstoppable in front of goal since the beginning of the season.

The attacker has sent the ball into the back of the net a whopping 13 times in 21 La Liga appearances so far during the campaign, helping to fire Girona beyond the relegation zone of the La Liga table, while also putting himself in a decent position to mount a challenge for the Pichichi trophy during the season.

Stauni's efforts have not gone unnoticed across Europe. A couple of teams are already interested in signing the prolific Uruguayan striker, with Catalan giants FC Barcelona rumored to have led the race to sign him in the winter.

#2. Luis Suarez

The Uruguayan forward is also among the contenders for the prize

Former Liverpool striker, Luis Suarez has fallen under intense criticism in recent weeks amidst his run of poor form, having failed to find the back of the net in his last 5 La Liga outings. But, the Uruguayan sharpshooter deserves some plaudits for what he has already done in front of goal this season.

Suarez currently ranks among the most potent finishers in the La Liga at the moment, specifically sitting in the second position on the goalscoring chart below his Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi - having struck 15 times in 23 appearances in the Spanish top flight so far during the season.

Suarez might have entered into his thirties and seen some areas of his game decline, but the Uruguayan attacker has not lost his finishing instincts and with that, he will surely close in on scoring 30 goals before the end of the campaign.

#1. Lionel Messi

Leo is currently leading the race for the accolade

After claiming the Pichichi trophy last season with his fantastic 34 goals and 12 assists in 36 La Liga appearances, Barcelona playmaker Lionel Messi remains the hot favorite to defend the accolade this season, having returned with the goals as he continues to dominate the Spanish top flight.

The Argentine has been quite unstoppable in front of goal so far during the season, with his amazing 22 efforts in 22 La Liga games, placing him on top of the top scorer's chart - a whopping 7 goals ahead of his strike mate Luis Suarez who sits right below him in the rankings.

While other superstars will also be keen to put on a great fight for the Pichichi trophy this season, it looks highly likely that Leo will go home with the accolade once again. However, only time will tell if there could be a major upset in the race for the award.