Algeria international and striker of Al-Sadd Doha, Baghdad Bounedjah, has been adjudged The World's Best Top Division Goalscorer in this year's IFFHS awards. With 39 goals in the calendar year, the 27-year-old beat off competition from the host of top European stars to scoop the honor for the second successive time.
In 2018, Bounedjah became only the second African player after Congolese Tresor M'putu Mabi to receive the recognition with his 20 goals for both club and country. This year, he played an instrumental role in Algeria winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in its history, registering two goals in this summer's campaign in Egypt. In all, he scored eight goals in 12 caps for the Desert Foxes.
On the club front, Bounedjah scored 31 times, guiding Al-Sadd to the title in the Qatar Stars League. Currently his side sits fourth on the charts following their poor start to the new season.
Meanwhile, four-time winner of the IFFHS World's Best International Top Goalscorer, Lionel Messi, came in second in the rankings with 36 goals. France and Paris Saint-Germain star and Kylian M'Bappe completed the podium with 33 goals.
Portuguese and Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo could not make the top 10 list.
