Droughts persist for Ronaldo, Suarez, Griezmann

BARCELONA (Reuters) – Lionel Messi is out on his own at the top of the Liga scoring charts, well ahead of the usually prolific trio of Antoine Griezmann, Luis Suarez and Cristiano Ronaldo who all endured another frustrating weekend.

Ronaldo is used to having an annual joust with Messi for the “Pichichi” prize for La Liga’s top scorer, but has only netted once this season and was wasteful in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Las Palmas on Sunday.

Barcelona’s Suarez, top scorer two seasons ago, extended his run without a goal to five games over all competitions following a lifeless display in the 2-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday as Paco Alcacer scored twice to keep Barca four points clear at the top.

Griezmann, third in the Ballon d’Or last year, has only scored twice and had to face the ignominy of being substituted for defender Jose Gimenez while Atletico Madrid was being held to a goalless draw by Deportivo La Coruna, watching on as his side stole a 1-0 win in stoppage-time.

Messi did not find the net either, but the Argentine remains top of the scoring charts with 11 goals in 11 games. Below him are unfamiliar names. Valencia’s Simone Zaza is second with nine, Villarreal’s Cedric Bakambu is on eight and Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno and 21-year-old Antonio Sanabria of Real Betis have seven.

Suarez is 22nd, Griezmann 37th and Ronaldo down at 70th. Ronaldo’s strike partner Karim Benzema has only scored two goals all season.

Ronaldo did provide the cross for Isco to score Real’s third goal on Sunday, but the assist could not lighten his mood and he looked thoroughly miserable as he neglected to join his teammates in celebration.

“Cristiano goes home upset when he doesn’t score, but he makes a difference,” said Madrid captain Sergio Ramos in defense of his goal-starved teammate.

“Cristiano and Karim will score goals soon enough. We don’t worry if they’ve only scored a few goals because they both make a difference and what matters is winning.”