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Barcelona’s Lionel Messi is currently the top forward in 2015, with Real Madrid stalwart Cristiano Ronaldo way back in 29th place, according to a statistical sports study.The Switzerland-based International Centre of Sports Studies (CIES) in conjunction with Fifa have revealed their latest statistics in a study of the top forwards in Europe’s top five leagues.

The study is based on key performance areas in shooting, chances created and successful dribbles or ‘take-ons’.

Messi’s scintillating start to the year, in which he has produced 20 goals and 13 assists in 19 appearances for Barcelona, have earned the Argentine a rating of 100 as well the number one spot for forwards, ahead of Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben and Wolfsburg’s Bas Dost.

The ratings are measured from 1 January every year, with CIES providing a monthly update on the top performers, where players considered must have completed at least two thirds (66 percent) of their club’s matches in the period covered.

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo is way down at 29, after not such a great start to 2015, having only managed 10 goals and four assists in 16 appearances for Los Blancos.
Top 15 forwards in 2015

Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona) – 100 points
Arjen Robben (Bayern Múnich) – 92 points
Bas Dost (Wolfsburgo) – 77 points
Luis Suárez (FC Barcelona) – 71 points
Diego Costa (Chelsea) – 61 points
Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 57 points
Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) – 57 points
Lucas Barrios (Montpellier) – 56 points
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund) – 55 points
Christophe Mandanne (Guingamp) – 54 points
Antoine Griezmann (Atlético) – 52 points
Neymar Junior (FC Barcelona) – 51 points
Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) – 51 points
Carlos Bacca (Sevilla) – 51 points
Éder Martins (Sampdoria) – 50 points. — Eurosport