PARIS (AP) — Canadian striker Jonathan David is approaching his best just in time for the World Cup as the French league’s top scorer ahead of Lille’s game against Monaco on Sunday.

His nine goals from David put him level with Brazilian star Neymar of Paris Saint-Germain. The 22-year-old Canadian is on a roll having scored in four straight games and provided two assists for seventh-placed Lille, who sit two points behind Monaco after 11 rounds of French football.

He could even overtake Neymar if he scores against Monaco, as the Brazilian will miss PSG’s game against Ajaccio de Corse on Friday through suspension.

David has scored 41 goals in 107 French league appearances since joining Lille from Belgian side Ghent in 2020. He is close to surpassing his 15 goals in Ligue 1 last season but knows he it will be difficult to beat Neymar and Kylian Mbappé and finish this campaign. as the score leader.

“Personally, I didn’t set myself the goal of finishing first, but like all attackers, in a corner of my head…”, he confided to the sports newspaper L’Équipe. “Given the quality of the players behind, it’s possible that he crosses the 20-goal mark. I’m starting to have more chances in each game, it’s up to me to take advantage of them”.

The level of play David is currently displaying is huge news for Canada, which will largely depend on his goalscoring in a tough World Cup Group F that includes 2018 finalists Croatia, halfbacks Belgium and Morocco. -finalists.

David scored his 22nd goal for Canada last month in a warm-up match against Qatar. The fact that he reached that number in just 34 games underlines his reputation as a reliable finisher who could be targeted by bigger clubs.

He has speed, technique, skill and composure on the ball. It is due to such attributes that his move to one of Europe’s top clubs seems inevitable, especially if he does well with Canada at the World Cup in Qatar. But his priority this weekend is to help Lille fight for a Champions League ticket next season.

With Neymar, Mbappé and Lionel Messi in top form, the unbeaten PSG are the favorites to retain the title of champion of France.

But the race for second place and automatic qualification for the European elite club tournament is a realistic goal for several teams including Lille, Monaco, Rennes, Marseille and Lens. Although Lorient are in second place, their status hinges on Nigerian striker Terem Moffi’s goals and many doubt they have the strength to stay at this level throughout the season.

Other good news for Lille with the return of American Tim Weah in attack. The 22-year-old winger is ready for his third game of the season after missing the first two months with an ankle injury.

Weah, the son of Liberian president and former footballer George Weah, assisted in one of David’s two goals and another by Remy Cabella in the 3-0 win over Strasbourg last weekend.