Ronaldo, Messi, Salah and the candidates to win European Golden Shoe in 2019-20

Lionel Messi claimed the prestigious prize last season, after netting 36 times for Barcelona, but who will be the continent's top scorer this term?

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Can Lionel Messi win the award for a fourth straight season?

The Barcelona legend has finished as top-scorer on six occasions in total – his 50-goal haul in 2011-12 remains a record – and will be favourite to win it again this season.

Messi scored 36 times in La Liga last season and with the Blaugrana's attack having been bolstered by Antoine Griezmann, there is no reason why the Argentine can't enjoy a similarly productive campaign this time around.

Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored 21 times in Serie A last season – his lowest total in a domestic league since he struck 18 for Manchester United in 2008-09.

However, the Portuguese will be confident of racking up even more goals this term, given the conservative Massimiliano Allegri has been replaced as Bianconeri boss by the more attack-minded Maurizio Sarri.

Ronaldo has claimed the Golden Shoe on four previous occasions, but not since 2014-15, when he hit a career-high 48 goals.

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Mohamed Salah has become one of the world's best goalscorers since joining Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.

The Egyptian wizard went close to winning the Golden Shoe in his first season in the Premier League, in 2017-18, by scoring 32 goals, just two fewer than Messi.

He managed an impressive 22 strikes last campaign but will need to get back to his very best form if he is to have a chance of taking top spot this term.

Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Kylian Mbappe followed up his sensational performances for France during their triumphant 2018 World Cup campaign by netting 33 goals for Paris Saint-Germain last season to finish as runner-up to Messi in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

It is worth remembering that the former Monaco forward is still only 20, so there is every chance that he could be set for an even more prolific 2019-20 campaign.