Lionel Messi will win the Ballon d’Or after netting 35 La Liga goals this campaignGetty Images
And they remain the only La Liga club the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who looks set to equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of four Golden Shoes, has failed to score against.
But, regardless of his unusual blank, Messi remains four goals clear of second-placed Bas Dost on 35, who has just one match remaining this season with Sporting.
Lionel Messi fired a blank against Las Palmas but will still be Europe’s No.1ReutersBas Dost will need to score five for Sporting against Chaves to have any chanceEPA
The Dutchman has been a revelation this season and put up a good show in the battle to be crowned Europe’s leading marksman.
However, only five in the final match of the season at home to Chaves would give him any hope of winning the gong outright.
And then he must hope Messi fires another blank in Barcelona’s last game of the season — at home to Eibar.
Bas Dost has been incredible this season with 31 goals for Sporting LisbonEPALuis Suarez was the top goal scorer in all of Europe last season with 40 goalsEPA
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Premier League top goal scorer Romelu Lukaku is 12th in European racePA:Press AssociationLuis Suarez was the last Premier League player to win the Euro Golden ShoeGetty Images
Robert Lewandowski is a place further back with 30, meaning six in Bayern Munich’s last game of the campaign at home to Freiburg is his only option.
The highest Premier League goal scorer, Romelu Lukaku, has 24 goals, which puts him 12th on the list.
Barring a miracle, it will mean that since 2007-08, in all but one year, the winner of the Shoe has been either Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez or Messi.
Lionel Messi will equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of four European Golden ShoesReutersLionel Messi has already claimed the European Golden Shoe three timesGetty Images
Suarez won the award last season and shared it with Ronaldo in 2014 when his 31 Premier League goals almost brought the title to Anfield.
Diego Forlan, in 2008-09, is the only other man to claim the award since Francesco Totti was Europe’s No.1 marksman two years previous.
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