Lionel Messi’s three goals against Leganes on Saturday means the Argentine is now tied at the top of the rankings with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in the race for the European golden shoe.
Messi who is now on course for a fifth European Golden Shoe award rattled in a hat-trick against Leganes on Saturday to take his league tally for the season up to 29 goals.
He is now tied at the top of the rankings with the Egyptian Salah who sat out this weekend’s Merseyside derby through injury. The closest pursuers of the top two are Italian Ciro Immobile of Lazio and Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski with 26 each.
Saturday’s goals made it the 40th career hat-trick for Messi, 29 of which have been scored in the league, three this season.
The Argentina skipper has 39 goals in all competitions this term, and 546 in total in an FC Barcelona shirt.
As for the domestic top scorer award, or Pichichi in local parlance, Messi has soared ahead of team-mate Luis Suรกrez and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom are seven adrift on 22 goals.
