Canada’s Jonathan David peaking for World Cup

PARIS (AP):

Canada striker Jonathan David is peaking at the right time for the World Cup as the co-leading scorer in the French league going into Lille's match against Monaco on Sunday.

David's nine goals put him level with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Neymar. He's on a hot streak after scoring in four straight games. He has also provided two assists for Lille, who are in seventh place and two points behind Monaco after 11 rounds.

He can even move ahead of Neymar if he scores against Monaco, because Neymar is suspended for PSG's game at Corsican side Ajaccio today.

David has 41 goals in 107 league games since joining Lille from Belgian side Gent in 2020. He's well on track to beat his 15 league goals from last season, but knows it will be hard to beat Neymar and Kylian Mbappe and finish this season as the top scorer.

"Personally, I haven't set myself the objective of finishing first, but, like all strikers, in a corner of my mind . . ." he told sports daily L'Equipe. "Given the quality of the players I have behind me, it's possible for me to break the 20-goal barrier. I'm starting to get more chances in every game, it's down to me to take them."

David's form is good news for Canada, who will be relying heavily on his goals in a tricky World Cup Group F containing 2018 runner-up Croatia, semi-finalist Belgium, and Morocco.

David notched his 22nd international goal last month in a warm-up against Qatar. The fact that he's reached that tally in only 34 games underlines his reputation as a reliable finisher whom bigger clubs are looking at.

He has speed, technique, skill and composure on the ball. So a move to one of Europe's leading clubs looks inevitable, especially if he does well for Canada in the Qatar showpiece. But his priority this weekend is helping Lille push for a place in the Champions League next season.

With Neymar, Mbappe and Lionel Messi all in fine form, unbeaten PSG is heavily favoured to retain the league title.

But the race for second place and automatic qualification for Europe's elite club competition is a realistic target for several teams, including Lille, Monaco, Rennes, Marseille and Lens.