Kylian Mbappe's European Golden shoe defence is being challenged by the likes of Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
The European Golden Shoe remains one of football’s most prestigious individual trophies, rewarding the most prolific marksman across Europe’s top domestic leagues.
Each season brings a fresh battle among elite forwards who consistently deliver extraordinary goal tallies. While form, fitness and team dynamics inevitably fluctuate, certain names have become perennial contenders – strikers whose finishing ability, movement and consistency ensure they remain in the conversation year after year.
Over the decades, it has been dominated by legendary strikers, from Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking eras to more recent winners who have defined the modern game. The 2024-25 edition was claimed by Kylian Mbappé, whose blistering scoring campaign underlined his status as one of the sport’s most reliable goal machines, beating Salah to the honour. As the 2025-26 season unfolds, the race once again features a mix of established superstars and rising elite forwards.
The European Golden Shoe uses a weighted scoring system based on the difficulty of each domestic league. A player’s points are calculated by multiplying their league goals by a factor assigned to that league — 2.0 for the top-ranked leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga, 1.5 for mid-level competitions, and 1.0 for lower-ranked leagues. This ensures that goals scored in more competitive leagues carry greater value in the final standings.
Below is a look at the leading candidates who routinely shape the race for Europe’s top goalscorer.
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1Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 14 goals
Erling Haaland is widely considered the benchmark for pure centre-forward play in Europe. His blend of explosive pace, physical dominance and clinical finishing makes him a constant threat in any scoring race.
Supported by a chance-creating machine at Manchester City, Haaland regularly posts remarkable numbers in both league and continental competitions. His positioning, relentless mentality and ability to convert even low-quality opportunities ensure he remains a perennial favourite for the Golden Shoe.
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- Getty Images Sport
2Harry Kane | Bayern Munich | 14 goals
Harry Kane’s all-round excellence as a goalscorer and creator ensures he is always near the summit of league scoring races. His precision finishing, ability to strike from anywhere around the box and instinctive movement make him ideally suited to Bayern Munich’s dominant style of play.
With his experience and consistency, Kane remains one of the most reliable attackers in Europe, capable of delivering 25–30 league goals in any given campaign.
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3Kylian Mbappe | Real Madrid | 13 goals
Kylian Mbappé brings a unique mix of speed, intelligence and elite finishing that keeps him among the top scorers every season. Whether deployed centrally or drifting in from the left, he consistently finds ways to exploit defensive gaps.
Playing in an attack-minded Real Madrid side amplifies his output, and his reputation for stepping up in big moments makes him one of the strongest long-term contenders in Europe’s scoring charts.
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4 Igor Thiago | Brentford | 11 goals
Igor Thiago is a physically imposing and relentlessly energetic forward whose aggressive style fits seamlessly into Brentford’s high-tempo approach. He excels at pressing, holding up play and attacking crosses, giving him multiple avenues to find the back of the net.
His strength, aerial ability and improving composure in front of goal allow him to compete effectively in the Premier League’s demanding environment. As he continues to polish his finishing, Thiago has the tools to deliver consistently strong scoring seasons.