Gomez returns to form of old

Mario Gomez has fired Besiktas to the 15/16 Turkish title with his best goals haul since his glory days at Bayern Munich.

The 30-year-old German striker has scored 29 goals in all competitions to force his way back into contention for a starting spot at Euro 2016. 

6 - Mario Gomez has scored in six consecutive league games in a single season for the first time in his career. Record #Besiktas #playmaker

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 20, 2016

After two largely forgettable years in Italy's Serie A with Fiorentina, the former Stuttgart and Bayern man is back among the goals and has scored in his side's last six league games - a feat unmatched at any of his former clubs. 

At Stuttgart, in 2008, Gomez found the net in six consecutive games (both domestic and European), while his career best remains a seven-game hot streak in all competitions with Bayern in 2010. 

@Mario_Gomez Seasons Bests (all comps)
41 - Bayern 11/12
39 – Bayern 10/11
35 – Stuttgart 08/09
29 – BESIKTAS 15/16
28 – Stuttgart 07/08

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 20, 2016

International heartache

Being left out of the German squad for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 came off the back of a disappointing campaign for Fiorentina, Gomez scoring just four goals in 15 matches. In many ways, it was a crushing blow for the striker - who had scored 80 goals combined in his previous two seasons. 

Watching his side claim the biggest prize in world football must have been very much pleasure of the painful variety for Gomez, who has since prospered since his move to Turkey.     

German Strikers 15/16 (#Euro2016)
32 – Thomas Muller
29 – MARIO GOMEZ
16 – Lukas Podolski
12 – Andre Schurrle
10 – Julian Brandt

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) May 20, 2016

Both Lukas Podolski and Gomez have found the Turkish Super-Lig the perfect tonic to revive their careers, and it is therefore rather apt that the pair will be battling it out for a starting berth at Euro 2016.

Given his red-hot form, Gomez looks very much the frontrunner in the race to partner Thomas Muller in France.