It is a real privilege to be following Spanish football at the time of Ronaldo and Messi, two players who may well be recognised in the future as the best in the history of the game, and both shone in their own ways last week. Ronaldo was of course playing for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, and he scored one in the semi-final against Club América and three in the final against Kashima Antlers to add that trophy to the Champions League, which he won with his club, the European Championships, which he won with his country, and FIFA’s Ballon d’Or, which we won for himself! Messi meanwhile put in a dazzling display for Barcelona in a 4-1 win against city rivals Espanyol, setting up goals for Luis Suárez (who netted twice) and Jordi Alba before adding the fourth himself. We should just enjoy it whilst it lasts!

A mention as well for Benzema, who scored in both matches in Japan, and Real Madrid go in to the Christmas break as leaders despite playing a match less than their rivals. Barcelona stay second, but Sevilla are still only a point behind them after they thrashed regional neighbours Málaga 4-1, Vietto scoring twice and Ben Yedder and Vitolo adding two more before Sandro got a second half consolation for the visitors. A real ding-dong battle for fourth place though, with four teams separated by three points, Villarreal staying just ahead of the others after a 1-3 win at Sporting, Sansone amongst the scorers there. Real Sociedad and Atlético Madrid both won as well though, as did Athletic Bilbao, a late Aduríz penalty and an even later strike by San José overturning a Iago Aspas opener in a 2-1 victory over Celta. Elsewhere Deportivo clocked up a much needed 2-0 win over bottom club Osasuna, the goals coming in the first half from Andone, and from Ryan Babel, who unfortunately will be leaving Spain this winter to take up a big offer from Besiktas. (20.12.16)

Pichichi League Cup ** Europe * Total (Penalties)
Messi (Barcelona) 12 1 10 23 (3)
Ronaldo (Real Madrid) 10 0 6 16 (4)
Luis Suárez (Barcelona) 12 1 2 15 (0)
Iago Aspas (Celta) 10 0 2 12 (2)
Aduríz (Athletic) 6 0 6 12 (5)
Carrasco (Atlético) 6 2 2 10 (0)
Benzema (Real Madrid) 4 0 6 10 (0)
Willian José (Real Soc) 9 0 0 9 (2)
Griezmann (Atlético) 6 0 3 9 (0)
Morata (Real Madrid) 5 2 2 9 (0)
Ben Yedder (Sevilla) 5 2 2 9 (3)
Raúl García (Athletic) 5 2 1 8 (1)
Arda Turan (Barcelona) 2 2 4 8 (0)
Rubén Castro (Betis) 7 0 0 7 (1)
Sandro (Málaga) 7 0 0 7 (0)
Gameiro (Atlético) 6 0 1 7 (1)
Vietto (Sevilla) 6 0 1 7 (0)
Sansone (Villarreal) 6 0 1 7 (1)
Bale (Real Madrid) 5 0 2 7 (0)
Andone (Deportivo) 6 0 0 6 (0)
Gerard Moreno (Espanyol) 6 0 0 6 (0)
Duje Cop (Sporting) 6 0 0 6 (0)
Neymar (Barcelona) 4 0 2 6 (1)
Asensio (Real Madrid) 2 2 2 6 (0)

* Includes Club World Cup
** Includes Spanish Super Cup