Europe's most prolific marksmen: 2012/13

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi was presented with the 2011/12 Golden Shoe award yesterday, after finishing as the top league goalscorer in all of Europe last season.

It is the second time Messi has received the honour, collected after he scored a remarkable 50 goals in the Primera Division - four more than Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid.

And, the Argentine is not resting on his laurels this season either, topping the charts with 13 goals already recorded in just nine La Liga appearances.

Here GiveMeFootball brings you the early season frontrunners from the top five leagues in Europe, as the race for 2012/13's most prolific marksman continues to gather pace!

8. Robin van Persie | Manchester United | 9 apps 7(2) | 3 assists | 7 goals

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7. Demba Ba | Newcastle United | 9 apps 8(1) | 0 assists | 7 goals

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6. Adam Szalai | Mainz 05 | 9 apps 8(1) | 1 assist | 7 goals

5. Mario Mandzukic | Bayern Munich | 9 apps 8(1) | 0 assists | 8 goals

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4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Paris Saint Germain | 9 apps | 1 assist | 10 goals

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3. Radamel Falcao | Atletico Madrid | 8 apps | 1 assist | 10 goals

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2. Cristiano Ronaldo | Real Madrid | 9 apps | 1 assist | 11 goals

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1. Lionel Messi | Barcelona | 9 apps 8(1) | 4 assists | 13 goals