Predicting Real Madrid's Top Goalscorers for Next Season

Former Burnley manager Stan Ternent once said, in protest of a refereeing decision, that a "blind man on a galloping horse" could have seen the foul.

A similar reference might be quite apt when it comes to informing people that it is likely that Cristiano Ronaldo will be Real Madrid's top goalscorer next season.

However, despite how many there often are, the goals of the Portuguese forward will need to be backed up with goals from his colleagues.

Last season, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain fought for the No. 9 slot and were the most likely scorers after Ronaldo.

Could we see a shift in that this season? B/R takes a look at who's likely to be finding the net for Madrid next year. 

5. Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil sneaked into double figures last season for Real Madrid, scoring nine goals in La Liga and one in the Champions League.

Mostly known for his creativity, the goals that he does score often slip under the radar.

In World Cup qualification for Germany, during the last campaign, he managed five strikes in just six appearances.

To manage that sort of strike rate for his club is unexpected, but he should once again be close to double figures for Los Blancos in all competitions by next May.  

4. Alvaro Morata

Young Alvaro Morata will be hoping to add plenty of first-team goals to his CV over the coming 12 months.

The 20-year-old hit 12 goals in 18 appearances in La Segunda last season for Real Madrid Castilla, adding two more in La Liga for Madrid.

With Ancelotti expected to give him more opportunities throughout the coming season, the Spaniard will be keen to stake a claim for a regular starting spot.

Scoring goals will be the best way to go about those desires. With more minutes, more goals should arrive. 

3. Isco

New signing Isco should feature quite highly in Real Madrid's goalscoring column next season.

The 21-year-old managed 12 for Malaga last time out—nine in the league and three in Europe—and will surely better that in a Madrid team which will create more chances.

His goals often came in important matches, too. A brace against Zenit St. Petersburg and one against Porto carried their weight in Europe, while he also scored in his club's 3-2 win over Real.

This summer also brought three goals in five appearances for Spain at the European Under-21 Championships in Israel.  

2. Karim Benzema

Karim Benzema has the confidence of Zinedine Zidane, according to Marca. With the possible sale of Gonzalo Higuain, that could prove key over the next season.

The Frenchman, still only 25, scored 21 goals last season and 32 in Real Madrid's title winning campaign in 2011/12.

A record of 31 goals in 53 Champions League appearances throughout his entire career is also particularly impressive.

If Carlo Ancelotti and Madrid choose not to bring in another striker, a regular starting spot should see Benzema once again into the 20s.  

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

With a record of 146 goals in 135 Primera Division matches, there are no surprises for guessing who is the favorite to be Real Madrid's top scorer next season.

Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 28-year-old ended the last campaign having hit the net 55 times for Los Blancos in all competitions.

According to Marca, the Portuguese forward is keen to improve on that total, though. He has already set himself a target of 70 goals for 2013/14.