January is almost over and with all of Europe’s major leagues back in full throttle after a short, long or no break at all period, we’re back with our top scorers round up from around the continent.

For our previous post (December), click here.

English Premiership

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United

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Rooney has scored 12 goals in Manchester United’s last 10 matches including a hat-trick against Pompy back in November and more recently a sublime four goal performance in United’s demolition of Hull City, cementing Rooney’s grasp at the top of the scoring charts in England with 19 in 22 matches. Defoe (who led the scorers in our December edition), Darren Bent and the returning Didier Drogba are on his tail with 14. Rooney is fantastic this season and especially in the last two months, so it’s hard to believe anyone will catch up with him. There are four more players in double figures – Fernando Torres (currently, as usual, injured) & the on fire Carlos Tevez with 12, Louis Saha (3 goals in December) & Cesc Fabregas (Rooney’s big rival for player of the season, 5 goals in last 4 matches) with 11.

Spanish La Liga

Lionel Messi, Barcelona

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In three league games since January began, Messi has scored six goals, including a hat-trick against Tenerife two weeks ago as Barcelona continue lead and dominate with Real breathing down their neck. The previous leader, David Villa (14 goals) hasn’t been really enjoying the 2009-2010 winter, scoring only 2 league goals since December 13. More in the chase – Zlatan Ibrahimovic (no league goals since December 12) & Gonzalo Higuain with 11 goals. Getafe’s Roberto Soldado has also reached 10 goals, with Cristiano Ronaldo right behind him with 9. End of season winner? Something tells me that Ronaldo (if he stops getting himself sent off) is still in this, but it’s going to be hard catching Messi and Villa. Between the two I’ll take Villa.

German Bundesliga

Stefan Kiessling, Leverkusen

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Kiessling hasn’t scored a league goal since November, but the long winter break in Germany and the lack of net scorching opponents have kept the 26 year old Leverkusen forward on top of the scoring lists, same as his team. Schalke’s Kevin Kuranyi is right behind him with 10 goals (both are the only two players with 10+ goals this season), scoring in Schalke’s last two matches. More in this race? Dortmund’s Lucas Barrios (9), Mario Gomez (Bayern) & Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburg) & Toni Kroos (Leverkusen) – 8. My guess? Leverkusen’s style produces lots of goals, and Kiessling won’t be having this drought forever.

Italian Serie A

Antonio Di Natale (Udinese) & Diego Milito (Inter)

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Although in pretty good form of late (unlike his team), Di Natale has been joined by Inter’s Diego Milito on top of the Serie A scorers table with 13 goals. Milito has been having a very good January, scoring in Inter’s last three matches in their relatively easy run towards another league title. Behind them with 10 goals are four players – Roma’s Francesco Totti (his penalty against Juve was his first league goal since November), Giampaolo Pazzini of Sampdoria (scored in Samp’s last two matches), Paulo Vito Barreto of Bari (has scored 8 goals in 7 consecutive games, hottest player in Italy right now) and Alessandro Matri of Cagliari (Had 7 consecutive matches getting on the score-sheet between October 24 and December 12). Ronaldinho has 9 goals, Samuel Eto’o who got knocked out of the ACN today, has 7.

French Ligue 1

Nene

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Nene was ligue 1 best scorer in our previous post as well but has scored only in one match (a brace against Sochaux last week) since December 13, putting his tally at 12. Lille’s Gervinho was away in Angola till yesterday, and the Ivorian has a very good chance of getting by the Brazilian when he return to action. Pierre-Allain Frau (Lille), Lisandro Lopez (Lyon) and Mamadou Niang (Marseille) all have 9 goals. My bet? Lyon are doing pretty bad lately, but my money is still on Lisandro. Bordeaux, who are cruising towards a second straight league title, are led by Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh with 7 league goals.