Why Leo Messi is ahead of Nigerian and Norwegian strikers in Golden Boot race despite scoring fewer goals – explained

• Leo Messi currently ranks fifth in the Golden Boot race with 38 points, having scored 19 league goals this term.
• Despite scoring fewer goals than the likes of Amahl Pellegrino (25 goals), Paul Onuachu (24) and Rauno Sappinen (26), Messi ranks higher.
• That's because the position in the standings takes into consideration the leagues strength, and it's been like this since the 1996/97 season.
• Goals scored in the top five leagues according to the UEFA coefficients are multiplied by 2, that's why Leo has got 38 points.
• Goals scored in the leagues ranked 6-22 and 22 and below are multiplied by 1.5 and 1 respectively.
• Pellegrino plays in Norway, Onuachu in Belgium and Sappinen in Estonia, that's why they have got 37.5, 36 and 26 points respectively.

Current European Golden Boot rankings

1. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 56 points, 28 goals

2. Kasper Junker (Bodo/Glimt) - 40.5 points, 27 goals

3. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus) - 40 points, 20 goals

4. Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt) - 38 points, 19 goals

5. Leo Messi (Barcelona) - 38 points, 19 goals

6. Amahl Pellegrino (Kristiansund) - 37.5 points, 25 goals

7. Paul Onuachu (Genk) - 36 points, 24 goals

8. Kylian Mbappe (PSG) - 36 points, 18 goals

9. Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan) - 36 points, 18 goals

10. Georgios Giakoumakis (VVV-Venlo) - 34.5 points