Europe's top 5 deadliest strikers
There has been no shortage of goals for teams in Europe this season, so let’s have a look at the five deadliest strikers, statistically:
Not surprisingly, Messi leads the table here too.
1) Lionel Messi
1.44 average goals per game, that says it all. He currently holds the record for scoring in 17 consecutive La Liga appearances, and is arguably the best striker in Europe. Barcelona had a flying start at La Liga this season, and they currently hold a 13 point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid. And that would have not been possible if Messi wasn’t in blistering form.
In his 27 league matches this season, he has had 141 shots on goal, out of which, he has found the back of the net 39 times. He is the third top scorer in Champions League with 7 goals, after Burak Yilmaz and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Statistics
| Competition | Appearance | Shots for Goal | Goals | Shot-to-Goal Conversion ratio | Average Goals Per Game |
| La Liga | 27 | 141 | 39 | 27 % | 1.44 |
| Champions League | 8 | 40 | 7 | 17.5 % | 0.875 |
| Total | 35 | 181 | 46 | 32.6 % | 1.314 |
2) Zlatan Ibrahimovic
At 31, Ibrahimovic is still one of the deadliest strikers in Europe. The Swede has been vital for Paris Saint-Germain after his 20 million move from AC Milan. He has the ability to hold the ball, is strong in the air, and also has fantastic vision. Despite being criticized for his low work-rate, he has proved them wrong by leading his team to the top of the table.
Ibrahimovic is the only player who has scored for six different clubs in the Champions League.
Statistics
| Competition | Appearance | Shots for Goal | Goals | Shot-to-Goal Conversion ratio | Average Goals Per Game |
| Ligue 1 | 25 | 117 | 24 | 20.5 % | 0.96 |
| Champions League | 7 | 32 | 2 | 9.25 % | 0.28 |
| Total | 32 | 149 | 26 | 17.4 % | 0.81 |
3) Edinson Cavani
The Uruguayan striker has been in sublime form for Napoli this season, banging in goals left, right and centre. He has scored 67 goals in his 96 matches for Napoli since his move from Palermo. The prolific striker has scored 25 goals this season, and is being watched by several European biggies, including Real Madrid and Manchester City. Napoli are currently in second position in Serie A, nine points behind Juventus, and with the current form of Cavani, the title race is far from over.
Statistics
| Competition | Appearance | Shots for Goal | Goals | Shot-to-Goal Conversion ratio | Average Goals Per Game |
| Serie -A | 25 | 78 | 18 | 23.0 % | 0.72 |
| Europa League | 7 | 27 | 7 | 25.9 % | 1.00 |
| Total | 32 | 105 | 25 | 23.8 % | 0.78 |
4) Luis Suarez
The Uruguayan has been in the form of his life for Liverpool this season, having scored 22 goals in 28 league encounters. He was vital in Liverpool’s recent victory against Tottenham, and is the current top scorer in the Premier League. Suarez has scored 37 goals for Liverpool since his move from Ajax.
Statistics
| Competition | Appearance | Shots for Goal | Goals | Shot-to-Goal Conversion ratio | Average Goals Per Game |
| Premier League | 28 | 143 | 22 | 15.4 % | 0.78 |
| Europa League | 6 | 19 | 3 | 15.8 % | 0.50 |
| Total | 34 | 162 | 25 | 15.5 % | 0.75 |
5) Robert Lewandowski
The Poland international is the current top scorer in Bundesliga. Having scored 22 goals for Borussia Dortmund this season, he has been linked with Bayern Munich and Manchester United. And his impressive performances at Euro 2012 would have surely increased his value. Not to mention, at 24, his best years are still ahead of him.
| Competition | Appearance | Shots for Goal | Goals | Shot-to-Goal Conversion ratio | Average Goals Per Game |
| Bundesliga | 22 | 77 | 17 | 22.7 % | 0.77 |
| Champions League | 8 | 25 | 5 | 20.0 % | 0.62 |
| Total | 30 | 102 | 22 | 21.6 % | 0.74 |