The Golden Shoe is an accolade reserved for only one amid all the other Golden Boot awards across different domestic and European club competitions.
With another season on us, the top guns in Europe are set to battle it out for the ultimate prize out there for being the top goalscorer in the continent.
Robert Lewandowski's crown was snatched by Erling Haaland last season, as the Norwegian bagged 36 goals from 72 appearances to help Manchester City to the treble. The likes of Harry Kane (30), Kylian Mbappe (29), Alexandre Lacazete (27) and Victor Osimhen (26) followed among the top five.
The developments of the players most often bulging the net in the 2023-24 season.
*Note: List only includes top scorers from the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1.
1. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich 27 goals.
The England captain has written off his doubters with his incredible form in Germany. Harry Kane would already eye becoming the second after Robert Lewansdowski - the one he replaced at Bayern - to chase Gerd Muller's 40-goal mark in Bundesliga.
2. Kylian Mbappe PSG 21 goals.
The Frenchman has scored an avaerage of 24 goals ever since his move from Monaco in 2017. Having bagged one short of 30 goals in Ligue 1 last season, PSG forward Kylian Mbappe can give serious competition to Halaand as the duo chase the European Golden Shoe accolade this season.
3. Lautaro Martinez Inter 22 goals.
The Argentine World Cup winner is proving to be the main marksmen for the Nerazzurri with an ever-growing appetite for goals. It almost doesn't matter that Inter failed to land Romelu Lukaku.
4. Serhou Guirassy Stuttgart 18 goals.
It may not be a name that is on everyone's lips right now, but Sehrou Guirassy has taken the German top flight by storm ever since his arrival on loan from French side Rennes last season. The Guinea international is almost making it a habit to get on the scoresheet this season but for a spell on the sidelines that comes in his way at the moment.
5. Erling Haaland Manchester City 17 goals.
The name of Erling Haaland should never surprise you for someone generating crazy numbers in front of goal. Manchester City knew what they were getting last season and the Norwegian continues to live up to the expectations, averaging a goal in almost every game, while aiming for a consecutive Premier League Golden Boot.
6. Jude Bellingham Real Madrid 16 goals.
Jude Bellingham has almost seamlessly fitted into Carlo Ancelotti's scheme at Real Madrid this term. Likened to Zinedine Zidane and matching Cristiano Ronaldo's record of 10 goals in 10 appearances at the club, the England international is now tasked to live up to the hype.
7. Lois Openda RB Leipzig 16 goals.
RB Leipzig are known to produce world class forwards and it will be no surprise if Lois Openda attracts high bids, with the Belgian gelling well in Bundesliga after completing his summer move from Lens.
8. Borja Mayoral Getafe 15 goals.
Borja Mayoral has emerged as Getafe's savour ever since the World Cup break. His scoring streak has even helped the Spanish side steer away from the drop zone to an extent.
9. Dusan Vlahovic Juventus 15 goals.
Last summer, Juventus tried to swap the services of Dusan Vlahovic with Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku. In the end, the move collapsed and the Serbian ended up staying at Allianz Stadium, while the Belgian joined Roma on loan.
Although the former Fiorentina goal-machine has largely underwhelmed with his output since his big-money move to Juventus in the winter of 2022, he is once again establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in Italian football, and has made a positive start to the current season.
10. Mohamed Salah Liverpool 15 goals.
With 19 goals to his name, Mohamed Salah was the toast for Liverpool despite the Reds' poor showing overall. The Egyptian will once again be expected to take Jurgen Klopp's side to greater heights.
11. Artem Dovbyk Girona 14 goals.
Ukrainian international striker Artem Dovbyk became the most expensive player in Girona’s history over the summer following a remarkable season with Dnipro-1 where he scored 32 goals in 48 matches across all competitions. He has already proven to be an astute addition for high-flying Girona, scoring clutch goals as the Gironistes continue to surprise many at the top of the table. Paraphrase and make it fluent.
12. Ollie Watkins Aston Villa 14 goals.
Ollie Watkins has consistently impressed for the Lions over the past three seasons. The England international has been a key figure in Villa’s revival under Unai Emery and has been a revelation since the Spaniard succeeded Steven Gerrard in October last year.
He scored 15 goals in the Premier League last season, with his efforts helping Unai Emery’s side qualify for the Europa League.
13. Jarrod Bowen West Ham 14 goals.
Ever since Declan Rice's departure, Jarrod Bowen has been in charge at the Hammers - both as a goal-scorer and creator in chief.
14. Deniz Undav Stuttgart 14 goals.
Deniz Undav, who joined Stuttgart on a season-long loan deal last summer, endured a slightly underwhelming campaign at the Amex last season as he bagged only eight goals in 30 games in all competitions. However, he's making quite a positive impression in the Bundesliga, and looks set to surpass his goal output from last season.
15. Dominic Solanke Bournemouth 14 goals.
Dominic Solanke recorded a brilliant 13 goal contributions in the top flight last season, standing out as one of the Cherries' best-performing players as Bournemouth secured survival with relative ease. This season, he has taken a step further with his productivity, with Andoni Iraola's free-flowing system benefiting in his journey to becoming an established Premier league centre-forward.
16. Alvaro Morata Atletico Madrid 13 goals
At the epicenter of some of the top European sides, delivering on every occasion, Alvaro Morata has now found himself realising his potential under Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
17. Ante Budimir Osasuna 13 goals.
Croatian veteran Ante Budimir was the hero for Osasuna in the season finale last season, as his goals helped the Navarra side clinch a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League for the 2023-24 season. He ended the 2022-23 season with eight goals in 31 matches, and is already on track to better that tally this season.
18. Bukayo Saka Arsenal 12 goals.
Bukayo Saka evolved into one of the most exciting and consistent young players in world football last term. His tormenting performances and 14 goals were key to Arsenal's impressive title charge last season and he's only grown stronger and more consistent this campaign, which bodes well for the Gunners, who look to go one step better.
19. Son Heung-min Tottenham 12 goals.
Filing into Kane's big shoes is no small assignment, but Son Heung-min continues to battle any suggestion of his dip in form as he leads from the front as Tottenham captain.
20. Robert Lewandowski Barcelona 12 goals.
Although Barcelona would expect more from Robert Lewandowski, the ageing Polish forward can certainly live up to the hype given a clean health bill. His 23 goals and seven assists in 34 league appearances helped Barcelona win La Liga last season, landing him the Golden Boot in the league.
Reporting By: Ajayi Oluwaseun Michael.
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