Folarin Balogun and Alexandre Lacazette made the most of the 30th matchday of Ligue 1 to close in on the top two leaders. However, in terms of assists, there was not much change in the rankings, as the top three remained steady. Kylian Mbappé and Jonathan David, the two leading goal scorers of the league, failed to make an impact this weekend, extending their goalless streak to three matches. This presented Balogun and Lacazette with a golden opportunity to gain some ground. Balogun, who scored a penalty against Brest for Reims (1-1), and Lacazette, who scored at close range for the second of three goals for Lyon against Rennes (3-1), have never been this close to the top spot. It is especially significant for Balogun, who reached this height earlier in the season. Meanwhile, Lionel Messi scored for Paris Saint-Germain against Nice (0-2), enabling him to break away from his teammate Neymar, who has been consistent in the rankings but whose season is coming to an end. In terms of assists, however, the podium remained largely unchanged. Florian Sotoca and Branco van den Boomen have both added one more to their total, but they remain at a respectable distance from the top three, especially from Messi, who retains a two-point lead over Neymar. Jonathan Clauss, just one assist behind Neymar, is expected to overtake him soon, although his future at Lens is uncertain. In a notable development, Angel Gomes and Brest’s Alexis Del Castillo and Franck Honorat have entered the top 10 rankings of the Ligue 1 assists table. As the season draws to a close, every goal scored and assist made becomes increasingly crucial, no matter how seemingly routine. The slightest misstep can change the rankings dramatically, as we have seen in the past with players who had a comfortable lead but failed to maintain it till the end. With only a few matches left, it is now or never for players to make their mark in the Ligue 1 statistics. Balogun has proven to be a rising star in Ligue 1, and his consistency in his debut season has made him a hot prospect for many clubs. Similarly, Lacazette has been a rock for Lyon, and his goals have come at crucial junctures in the season. As for Messi, he has been a sensation since joining PSG, and his contributions have been integral in propelling the team to the top of the table. It remains to be seen who will finish the season as the top scorer or the top assist maker, but it is clear that every game and every moment counts in the race for the top spot.
