As the European Championships kick off on Friday with Germany facing Scotland, the race for the Golden Boot is set to be fiercely contested. Here are the top 10 contenders for this summer’s prestigious award:
Kylian Mbappe: The French forward, fresh off signing with Real Madrid, is a favourite for the Golden Boot. Mbappe, who won the Golden Boot at the Qatar World Cup, has scored 46 goals in 77 appearances for France and is expected to be a key player for Les Bleus, who are among the tournament favourites.
Harry Kane: England’s all-time top scorer and Golden Boot winner at the 2018 World Cup, Kane is in top form, having scored 44 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich this season. Kane will lead England’s attack, supported by a strong squad under Gareth Southgate.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal’s legendary forward, with 128 international goals, continues to be a formidable presence. Despite playing in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s scoring prowess remains unmatched, making him a contender in what could be his last Euros.
Romelu Lukaku: After a disappointing World Cup, Lukaku is determined to redeem himself. The Belgian striker has scored 85 goals in 115 international appearances and will rely on support from Kevin De Bruyne and others to lead Belgium’s attack.
Dusan Vlahovic: The Serbian striker had an impressive season with 16 goals in Serie A and has scored 13 goals in 27 international matches. Vlahovic will be crucial for Serbia as they aim to progress from the group stages.
Jude Bellingham: The young English midfielder has thrived at Real Madrid, scoring 19 goals in 28 La Liga appearances. Bellingham’s role will be pivotal depending on Gareth Southgate’s tactical choices.
Kai Havertz: Germany’s forward, who scored 9 goals in 14 league appearances for Arsenal, is looking to make an impact at a home tournament. Havertz has a history of scoring in big games and will be essential for Germany’s success.
Rasmus Højlund: The Danish striker, despite an injury-hit season, managed 16 goals across all competitions. Højlund’s performance will be vital for Denmark, who topped their qualifying group.
Dominik Szoboszlai: The Hungarian midfielder has scored 6 goals in his last 12 international matches and is the focal point of Hungary’s attack. Szoboszlai’s set-piece abilities and long-range shots could make a significant impact.
Alvaro Morata: Spain’s main forward, Morata remains a divisive figure due to his inconsistent finishing. However, his ability to get into good scoring positions makes him a key player for Spain in a challenging group.
NBS Sport will broadcast a number of EURO 2024 matches including the opener and final.
