Golden Shoe 2017-18: Top Goalscorers in Europe, Latest Points on April 8

Lionel Messi joined Mohamed Salah at the top of the standings in the race for the European Golden Shoe after he netted a hat-trick against Leganes in La Liga on Saturday.

Behind him, Ciro Immobile moved into third place after he found the net against Udinese, while Harry Kane failed to add to his tally despite trying to claim a goal that was awarded to Christian Eriksen in Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 win over Stoke City.

Here are the standings: 

T1. Lionel Messi, Barcelona: 29 goals x 2.0 difficulty factor = 58.0 points

T1. Mohamed Salah, Liverpool: 29 x 2.0 = 58.0

3. Ciro Immobile, Lazio: 27 x 2.0 = 54.0

4. Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich: 26 x 2.0 = 52.0

5. Jonas, Benfica: 33 x 1.5 = 49.5

T6. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur: 24 x 2.0 = 48.0

T6. Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain: 24 x 2.0 = 48.0

T6. Mauro Icardi, Inter Milan: 24 x 2.0 = 48.0

9. Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid: 23 x 2.0 = 46.0

10. Luis Suarez, Barcelona: 22 x 2.0 = 44.0

Rules: UEFA have assigned a difficulty rating to every league in Europe between one and two, which is multiplied by a player's goal tally to calculate their points total.

For example, goals scored in any of Europe's top five leagues are worth two points, whereas a goal in Portugal's Primeira Liga will only count for 1.5 points. 

With Salah absent for Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Everton, Messi had the chance to close the gap on his Egyptian rival, and he did just that as he put Leganes to the sword in a 3-1 win for Barcelona.

The Argentinian had already scored five direct free-kicks in La Liga this season, so there was little surprise when he curled in a set piece after 27 minutes:

The strike also marked another impressive feat, per OptaJose:

Five minutes later he held off two defenders before slotting home, and he flicked the ball over Ivan Cuellar late on to complete his hat-trick.

Immobile also took advantage to move within two goals of Salah and Messi at the top, when he turned in Senad Lulic's wayward shot from close range.

The Italian has had a sensational Serie A campaign, as BT Sport Football noted:

Meanwhile, Kane believes he should have been given Spurs' second goal against Tottenham after claiming a touch on Eriksen's free-kick:

The Dane has been awarded the goal, but the Englishman is certain it was his 25th league goal of the campaign.

"I swear on my daughter's life that I touched the ball, but there's nothing I can do," Kane said, per the Guardian's Nick Ames. "If they turn it around, they turn it around. If they take my word, they take my word."

The goal would help Kane in the race for the European Golden Shoe and the Premier League's Golden Boot, which he is bidding to win for the third season running.

The striker is still hopeful of pipping Salah to the latter:

"Yeah, I still believe I can. Whatever happens, there are still games to go. I've got to focus on my game, I can't control what he does. Obviously, as a striker, it would be great to win the golden boot again, and I will keep working hard from now until the end of the season."

Manchester City could prove difficult opponents to score against in Spurs' next outing, but the Lilywhites then face Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, so there's plenty of scope for Kane to have a fruitful end to the season.