The Golden Boot award at the European Championship and the World Cup is one of the most coveted individual awards in world football.
Some of Europe’s best-ever players have earned this trophy in past tournaments. Michel Platini led France to their first-ever Euro’s title with nine goals in the 1984 tournament.
Marco van Basten won the Golden Boot as the Netherlands won their first international accolade in 1988. David Villa and Fernando Torres also finished as top-scorers in 2008 and 2012, respectively, when Spain won two consecutive Euros.
With a host of world-class attacking talent included at Euro 2020, there will be plenty of in-form strikers vying for this year’s Golden Boot. In a tournament that is packed with attacking talent, it may come as a surprise to most, but the average number of goals for the tournament’s top goalscorer is 4 (3.8).
Harry Kane
England captain Harry Kane is looking to add to his Golden Boot award from the 2018 World Cup. Kane scored five goals for the Three Lions in Russia, and he has been in top form for Spurs ever since.
The striker was the Premier League’s top-scorer in 2020/21 with 23 goals, and it was his seventh consecutive season scoring 20 or more goals in all competitions for Spurs.
Kane will be England’s attacking focal point in Euro 2020. He has scored 34 goals in 54 appearances for his nation so far.
The 27-year-old should have plenty of supplies from creative teammates during the tournament. Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, and Mason Mount should create plenty of chances as their captain looks for his second consecutive Golden Boot.
Romelu Lukaku
Since joining Inter Milan from Manchester United in 2019, Lukaku has been in top form. The Belgian striker has scored 47 Serie A goals for Inter across two seasons.
His 24 league goals in the 2020/21 season led his side to their first Italian title since 2010.
THE BEST SITES FOR STREAMING LIVE FOOTBALL GAMES
Lukaku’s form has been consistent on the international stage too. The striker has scored 14 in his last 13 appearances for the Red Devils, and his importance to the side was highlighted by his captaincy in Belgium’s recent friendly against Greece.
Kylian Mbappe
France forward Kylian Mbappe burst onto the international scene at the 2018 World Cup, scoring four goals in the tournament. Aged just 19 at the time, he became the first player since Pele to score more than two goals at a major tournament.
Mbappe’s talent has grown ever since, and he is the main man at Paris St Germain. Since joining the Ligue 1 giants from AS Monaco in July 2018, Mbappe has scored 132 goals in 171 appearances.
In a French team considered as favorites to win this year’s Euros, expect Mbappe to play a leading role up front for Les Blues.
Cristiano Ronaldo
At 36-years-old, Ronaldo shows no signs of dipping in form. The Portuguese forward scored 36 goals for Juventus last season and finished as Serie A’s top-scorer with 29 goals.
Ronaldo is a serial award winner at the club level and is Portugal’s leading goal scorer with 103 goals, nine of which have come in the European Championships.
Euro 2020 could be Ronaldo’s last major tournament. Given his exceptional form for Juventus in the 2020/21 season, he could fire his way to a first Golden Boot on the international stage this year.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.