SOCCER-SPAIN Heroes and Villains

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"continue" targeting switch is equivalent to "break". Did you mean to use "continue 2"?

David Villa took his professional tally to 301 goals after he scored twice in Barcelona's 3-1 cup win over Alavés. Otherwise though most of our Pichichis were rested by their coaches in this early round of the Copa del Rey, and although some 30 goals were scored in all, only Rubén Castro and Raúl García added to their totals.

Messi was on target at the weekend again as Barcelona hammered Athletic Bilbao 5-1 to extend their best ever start to a season, although there were some differences of opinion as to whether he scored one or two. The doubts came over his first goal, Amorebieta trying to cut out his shot as it seemed to be going in, only to turn the ball in to his own net. The referee awarded the strike to Messi, but "Marca", the Madrid based newspaper which gives the official Pichichi prize each season, ruled that it was an own goal. This is not the first time that Marca have gone against the referee's decision, usually favouring Real Madrid and prejudicing Barcelona (no surprise there), and maybe it is time for an independent panel to be set up to rule on such matters?

We have gone with the referee's decision for now, but whatever the case Messi now has 83 or 84 for the calendar year, and it is only a matter of time until he beats Gerd Müller's all time record 85. Ronaldo should not be forgotten though, and he returned to form this weekend, scoring with a free kick and then setting up Özil for a second as Real Madrid once again beat city rivals Atlético Madrid (it is now over 13 years since Atleti last won!).

Marca's annual awards also include the "Zarra" prize for the highest scoring Spanish striker, and Rubén Castro is currently sharing the lead with Aduríz after he scored twice in Betis's 2-3 win at Deportivo. Riki also got two for the Galicians in that match, and Soldado is in the running as well after he netted a brace in Valencia's disastrous 2-5 defeat against Real Sociedad, a result which cost coach Pellegrino his job. Carlos Vela got the last one for the Basque side from the penalty spot, and there were goals too for Fàbregas in that win over Athletic, for Helder Postiga in Zaragoza's 1-1 draw at Mallorca, and for Oscar in their Monday night victory at Sevilla. (04.12.12)

Pichichi	League	Cup	Europe	Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona)	21	2	5	28 (2)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid)	13	2	5	20 (4)
Falcao (Atlético)	11	0	3	14 (5)
Aduríz (Athletic Bilbao)	8	0	3	11 (1)
Soldado (Valencia)	7	0	4	11 (4)
Rubén Castro (Betis)	8	1	0	9 (0)
Higuaín (Real Madrid)	7	1	0	8 (0)
Negredo (Sevilla)	7	1	0	8 (3)
David Villa (Barcelona)	5	3	0	8 (0)
Hemed (Mallorca)	7	0	0	7 (0)
Oscar (Valladolid)	7	0	0	7 (0)
Postiga (Zaragoza)	7	0	0	7 (0)
Fàbregas (Barcelona)	5	1	1	7 (0)
Raúl García (Atlético Madrid)	3	2	2	7 (0)
Benzema (Real Madrid)	2	2	3	7 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta)	6	0	0	6 (1)
Riki (Deportivo)	6	0	0	6 (0)
Leo Baptistao (Rayo)	6	0	0	6 (0)
Vela (Real Sociedad)	6	0	0	6 (3)
Feghouli (Valencia)	3	0	3	6 (0)
Susaeta (Athletic Bilbao)	2	0	4	6 (0)