Golden Boot or Team Triumph? Top Strikers to Watch at Euro 2024
The Euros are back! This summer, Germany gears up for a captivating clash of ambitions as Europe's deadliest strikers take center stage. We will examine top strikers likely to battle for the golden boot.
In the tournament's last edition, Cristiano Ronaldo claimed the Golden Boot with five goals. Can he reclaim the award? Or will a new star emerge? Stay tuned as we explore the elite marksmen ready to take the Euros by storm.
Harry Kane (England, Bayern Munich)
Harry Kane is the first favorite on our list for the Euro's Golden Boot. England's captain has a stellar goal-scoring record with over 400 goals in his career. Kane's foremost differentiator is his sublime finishing. His technique is near flawless when striking the ball.
He can deliver clean shots with both feet and score with his head. At 30, his aerial prowess is remarkable. He regularly secures a top spot among the highest-scoring players for headed goals.
Kane’s versatile skill set makes him a formidable adversary. He poses a threat in any situation within scoring range, leaving defenders helpless with his movement.
Kane boasts an impressive record of 213 Premier League goals in 320 appearances, only second to Alan Shearer in the all-time list. He has maintained his goal-scoring momentum since moving to Bayern Munich.
With 36 goals from 32 appearances, he is on track to clinch the Bundesliga's Golden Boot in his debut season. Currently, his tally for the Bavarians stands at 44 goals in 46 matches.
In addition to his remarkable club performances, Kane is England's all-time top scorer. He has 62 goals in 89 caps for the Three Lions. Recognized as one of the world's premier strikers, Kane is a top option to clinch the Golden Boot in Germany.
Kylian Mbappé (France, Paris Saint Germain)
Kylian Mbappé enters this conversation thanks to his exceptional talent. The forward recently declared that the current campaign would be his last with PSG. He has departed in style by leading his team to a third consecutive Ligue 1 title. Mbappé's goals also propelled PSG to the semi-finals of the UCL this season.
Mbappe’s game is more than just goals. He is known for his all-action attacking style of play. Calm under pressure, he showcases a whole arsenal of skills when facing a goalkeeper. Need a quick shot? He shortens his stride, leaving the keeper guessing. Under pressure? He elongates his stride, buying precious seconds to analyze the goalkeeper's position. It's this kind of adaptability that makes him so remarkable.
In the 2023/24 season, Mbappé has racked up 43 goals in 46 appearances. This record earned him the distinction of being the first player to cross the 40-goal mark this year among the top five European leagues. Among these, eight goals have been scored in the Champions League, crowning him as the top scorer in the UCL.
Last year, Mbappé claimed the title of PSG's all-time top scorer, surpassing Edison Cavani. The revered Uruguayan had 200 goals. Mbappé has surpassed this record and set a new one. His 255th goal in a Ligue 1 victory against Lorient on April 24 marks him PSG's all-time top scorer.
At just 24, Mbappé's impressive record for France stands at 46 goals in 77 appearances. His extraordinary talent on the field gives France a significant edge in EURO 2024. Mbappé's game is most notable for his stunning speed and lethal precision, making him a dangerous weapon for France. If he transfers his excellent form into the Euros, he will surely be in contention for the highest goalscorer’s award.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Al-Nassr)
Another name on the lips of football lovers anticipating Euro 2024 is Cristiano Ronaldo, a legend in the game. Ronaldo is universally recognized as one of the two top players of his generation. He shares this esteemed status with Lionel Messi.
The Portuguese ace holds the Golden Boot award after scoring five goals at Euro 2021. He was level with Patrick Shick on five goals in the tournament but beat him to the award with an assist. Nobody has won the accolade consecutively, but Ronaldo will be up for the challenge to break that record.
Throughout his two-decade-long career, the Portuguese maestro has consistently shattered records. At the ripe age of 38, he continues to do so. Ronaldo has racked up an impressive 41 goals in 40 appearances for Al Nassr this season across all competitions.
On the international stage, his invaluable contributions have propelled Portugal to victory in the Euros in 2016 and the Nations League in 2019. With a tally of 128 goals in 206 appearances, he is Portugal's all-time leading scorer.
As a center forward, Ronaldo's wealth of experience and undeniable skills promise to be pivotal for Portugal. Given his age, this could be his final outing at the European Championship. Given that reality, CR7 will be keen to make a lasting impression at Germany.
He has perfected the ability to step up in critical moments, a defining aspect of his illustrious career. Undoubtedly, Ronaldo is a player to watch in this tournament.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium, A.S Roma)
Another elite striker who could light up stadiums in Germany is Romelu Lukaku. His journey with the national team began in 2010 when he made his international debut against Croatia.
The 30-year-old has consistently been a reliable source of goals for his country, spearheading their golden generation's relentless pursuit of silverware. A powerful striker, Lukaku possesses a dominant left foot. Yet he is quite versatile. The Belgian can strike the ball effectively with his right foot as well.
In Belgium's final qualifying match against Azerbaijan, Lukaku scored four goals in 21 first-half minutes. This remarkable performance took the Roma ace's tally to 14 strikes overall. He emerged as the highest goal scorer in Euro 2024 qualifiers.
He also surpassed the previous record held by Northern Ireland's David Healy and Poland's Robert Lewandowski for a single European Qualifiers campaign. Lukaku's goals have brought his overall tally for Belgium to an impressive 83 goals, making him the country's all-time top scorer.
Notably, Lukaku's fortunes have resurged at Inter Milan and Roma following a disappointing spell with Chelsea. In the current season with A.S. Roma, Lukaku has netted an impressive 21 goals in 48 appearances. Seven of those strikes came in the Europa League, helping his team reach the UEL Semi-Final.
With his goals serving as an inspiration, Lukaku could guide Belgium to their long-awaited first international title. He also stands a chance of emerging as the tournament's top scorer, adding another accolade to his already illustrious career.
Niclas Füllkrug (Germany, Borussia Dortmund)
Germany’s Niclas Füllkrug is another prime Euro 2024 Golden Boot candidate. Despite being 31 years old, Niclas Füllkrug has been Germany's top scorer over the past 12 months. Since joining Borussia Dortmund last summer, the veteran striker has continued to surpass expectations with his remarkable goal scoring prowess.
An embodiment of the traditional center-forward, Füllkrug is a true old-school striker. His ability to lead the line and physically dominate opposing defenders has solidified his position as Eden Terzic's first-choice striker at Dortmund.
Throughout his career in the Bundesliga, Füllkrug has played in 156 matches and scored an impressive 56 goals. During the 2022/23 campaign, the 31-year-old found the back of the net 16 times while playing for SV Werder Bremen.
Füllkrug has already scored 12 goals for Borussia Dortmund this season. He also ranks as the second-highest shooter in terms of attempts on goal for his team. His excellent form has also been on display for the national team. In 15 national team caps, the striker has scored an impressive 11 goals.
With years of experience under his belt, Füllkrug has the potential to fight for the Golden Boot in the country of his birth. He is a multifaceted striker capable of wreaking havoc on opposing defenses in various ways.
Conclusion
Euro 2024 promises a captivating battle featuring individual brilliance and collective strength. All strikers mentioned above are favorites to vie for the Golden Boot; their goals will potentially shape their teams' destinies.
Meanwhile, other players in the competition can spring a surprise and claim the accolade. As the anticipation builds and the countdown begins, fans eagerly await the emergence of the next great European striker. Contemplating how to bet on Euro 2024? EaglePredict provides the edge you need with accurate football predictions for the tournament. Visit our site and register to get started.
