Goal lists the most prolific players of the current calendar year, taking into account goals scored in all competitions for both club and country until 16 Nov.
The 2018 Goal 50 was announced on Tuesday and, as always, our list of the best players in the world over the previous 12 months has provoked plenty of debate and controversy.
Lionel Messi's fifth-placed finish – his lowest ranking in the award's 11-year history – made most headlines, given the Argentine inspired Barcelona to a domestic double last season and picked up the European Golden Shoe in the process.
His detractors, though, pointed to the fact that the No.10 was unable to prevent Barcelona from once again bowing out at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League, or help Argentina get past the last 16 of the World Cup.
Still, as 2018 underlined, when it comes to goalscoring, Messi remains among the game's elite, with the 31-year-old having hit 44 goals in all competitions for club and country this year.
His great rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, has scored one fewer, though CR7 fans will be quick to point out that the Portuguese superstar has the slightly superior strike rate, as he is averaging just under a goal a game (0.98).
Surprisingly, though, Algeria international Baghdad Bounedjah scored more goals than Messi in 2018 and boasted an even better goals-to-games ratio than Ronaldo!
The 26-year-old forward netted a staggering 42 goals in just 27 appearances for Al Sadd in Qatar's Stars League and the Asian Champions League, while he also struck five times in seven outings for his country this year.
Elsewhere, little-known Brazilian Diogo, who plies his trade in Thailand, netted as many times as Ronaldo. However, the Buriram United striker's 43 goals came in more matches, which is why he sits just below the Portugal skipper, in fourth.
Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski finished as the Bundesliga's top goalscorer last season, so it will come as no surprise to see the prolific Pole in fourth, with 39 goals from 48 appearances, while Luxembourg international Dave Turpel played a pivotal role in Dudelange qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League.
Luis Suarez remains as lethal as ever, as he proved during Messi's recent injury lay-off, and the Uruguayan ranks seventh, with 36 goals, just one ahead of Liverpool and Egypt sensation Mohamed Salah and Atletico Madrid's World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann.
Meanwhile, Ecuador's Jhon Cifuente pips Russia 2018 Golden Boot winner Harry Kane to a place in the top 10.
CR7RealMadrid12
356
They might not be first according to Goal list but I admire them and I believe you do too... Look it's really an achievement to get more goals than these two legends ( aliens) but for players to be compared with LM10 and CR7 there needs to be consistency in what they do... If the player that is in first place can maintain this for 10+ years than he will be considered as one of the greatest... I congratulate him for his admirable achievement but Messi and Ronaldo will always be the GOAT of football... Doesn't matter if Goal/ Fifa/ French Football Federation doesn't give them the most prestigious awards... For me and for many they will always be the GOAT
Divyansh26
233
Well Magical Salah So proud to see his name there his first full season at EPLl and he is doing so well already and he has again found his form back proving that he is not a one season wonder ......... He was so vital for us last season and his four goals against Watford were just a showcase of his talents and he showed the world his worth...... After a gr8 first record breaking season he was linked with so many clubs but he instead signed a new contract and showed his loyalty .to Liverpool .......I hope he is forever at Liverpool .... Hailing the Egyptian King..... #YNWA........
deebashbhandari
211
Ronaldo can play in any league and any place wherever he goes..He is the pure goalscoring machine and he just cant stay without scoring goals. As in Serie A we have already seen scoring 8 goals and 4 assists in fewer games also..This season the topscorere of Serie A will be Ronaldo..No any dought in this.❤❤❤
ValorRainz
179
Speaking of the elites: they might be three different men with millions of fans with different mind, but one thing is made certain for them, and that is "they are all great men. 👑 They are stars, legends and they have made history. 📚📚 Despite our daily agreements and disagreements we still know they are all good and they are doing what they are so good at and that makes them perfect amongst the rest,,,, keep it up 👍👏👍WE LOVE YOU ALL
Frenchkisser
139
he will always become the leader and the king of all scores number one special one and genius i believe he win ballond'or this year
footbh
71
They might not be first according to Goal list but I admire them and I believe you do too... Look it's really an achievement to get more goals than these two legends ( aliens) but for players to be compared with LM10 and CR7 there needs to be consistency in what they do... If the player that is in first place can maintain this for 10+ years than he will be considered as one of the greatest... I congratulate him for his admirable achievement but Messi and Ronaldo will always be the GOAT of football... Doesn't matter if Goal/ Fifa/ French Football Federation doesn't give them the most prestigious awards... For me and for many they will always be the GOAT...
mickey00
14
Cristiano Ronaldo will win the ballon d'or 2018 no doubt about that
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trending news; messi and Ronaldo are not included in the ballon d'or 2018 final 3 shortly. midric,varane,griezmann with modric winning the award
RealMd13
10
🔥 Ronaldo is a goal scoring machine and he may not score them daily but his goals comes during important matches against tough opponents in the champions league 🙏🏾 And Leo for me is the greatest player in history of the Game cuz what he does week in and week out is insane and while I am alive I dont think i will ever seen a player like Leo ever again ❌ And for salah idk why he is on this list 😂😂😂
shariffeyyulegunshot
8
best player who has 57 trophy and 5pichichi ,5mrca award best of all
shariffeyyulegunshot
8
Top score belongs to this man