Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has dethroned Nerijus Valskis in the European Golden Shoe rankings.

The European Golden Shoe, previously known as the European Golden Boot, is an award given to the leading goal scorer in league matches from the highest division of every national league in Europe. The winners are chosen based on a point system that allows the players in difficult leagues to win even if they score lesser goals than a player in a weaker league.

Other winners of the European Golden Shoe include Lionel Messi, Eusebio, Gerd Muller, Dudu Georgescu, Fernando Gomes, Ally McCoist, Mario Jardel, Thierry Henry and Diego Forlan.

Ronaldo claimed the top spot after his excellent performance during a match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. He scored a hat-trick which has helped Real Madrid win, with a final score 5-1. Ronaldo, now has a total of 16 goals for the 2013-2014 season.

Valskis moved to the second spot, followed by Diego Costa, Frode Johnson, Vladimir Voskoboinikov in the third, fourth and fifth places, respectively. Abderrazak Hamdallah seats comfortably at the sixth spot. Guissepe Rossi of Fiorentina club is at the seventh position, followed by Rimo Hunt.

Ronaldo now holds the record of winning the European Golden Shoe for three times, along with Messi. Ronaldo first won the award in the 2007-2008 and 2010-2011 seasons. He is the only and the first footballer to have won the award in two different leagues. He won the trophy while he was still with Manchester United in the English Premier League, and now with Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga.

Messi, on the other hand, received the award during the 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2012-2013 seasons.

Ronaldo and the rest of Real Madrid team will be facing Almeria on the next soccer match. It will take place on Sunday, Nov 23.