By Jake Glavies

photo credit: Higauin vs Getafe/Getty Images

When Real Madrid kicked off the 2009-10 La Liga season, there was little thought as to who would be the squad’s top scoring threat. With Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year, coming in from Manchester United, the safe bet was on Ron to lead the Madrid charge.

But, some 19 matches into the year, the Portuguese winger hasn’t hit his stride and has most recently made headlines for crushing Patrick Mtiliga’s nose with his elbow in a 2-0 win over Malaga Sunday. To date it’s been an old face that’s helping Real Madrid keep pace with last season’s champion Barcelona. Despite playing alongside the newest Galacticos – including such high-profile transfers as Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema – Gonzalo Higuain is proving that his star can shine amongst the Madrid galaxy.

Higuain transferred to Madrid from River Plate for just a shade over $18 million in 2006, and ever since it’s appeared to be money very well spent. In only 14 appearances this season, including 11 starts, Higuain is holding pole position on the team’s state sheet, netting 11 goals on just 36 shots. His scores are coming every 3.3 attempts, compared to a staggeringly high 8.2 for Ronaldo and every 8.6 for Benzema.

His success is no surprise, though. Scoring a team-high 22 goals during last season’s second place finish, Higuain is merely picking up where he left off. The only thing that’s different is that he’s doing it with some of the most talented players in the world yelling for the ball. After getting off to a slow start this season, scoring zero goals in Madrid’s first six league games, the Argentine has caught fire. He’s had three multi-goal games, including back-to-back two score performances against Valencia and Real Zeragoza – during which he left the match in the 62nd minute.

Ronaldo – who currently has nine goals on the year – may be the biggest draw in town, but Higuain is the driving force behind his team’s success. If Madrid is to overtake Barcelona and reclaim the league crown, they’ll do it on the leg of the 22 year old Higuain. Though often overlooked for a starting spot, even in his native Argentina, he’s rapidly making a name for himself as one of the top young strikers in the world.

With three years left on his contract, Higuain may just prove to be the brightest star in the Real Madrid galaxy.