While there are several Golden Boots up for grabs in the top divisions across Europe, the most prolific scorer on the continent can only win one Golden Shoe every season.The battle to win that famous award is once again in full swing, and several legendary forwards are poised to lead the drive for a unique honour that will set them apart from all of their fellow frontmen.With 35 league goals to his credit, Robert Lewandowski, who recently moved from Bayern Munich to Barcelona, finished first last season. He was closely followed by players like Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, and Ciro Immobile. GOAL is here to keep you up to date on all of the runners and riders in the 2022–23 season.
#1 Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 36 goals (72)
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Erling Haaland, one of the world’s most sought-after talents, did not dissapoint when he burst onto the scene for the Premier League champions after being acquired by Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund. The Norwegian striker boasts power and pace in abundance.
#2 Harry Kane | Tottenham | 28 goals (56)
Harry Kane, the captain of England, has established a reputation as one of the most dangerous No. 9s in international football. The Tottenham attacker is more than deserving of that position among the top given his three Golden Boot awards and more than 180 Premier League goals.
#3 Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain | 28 goals (56)
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Given his accomplishments for Paris-Saint-Germain and his World Cup victory with France, Kylian Mbappe seems to be the most probable contender to fill the void left by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the finest player in the world of football.
#4 Alexandre Lacazette | Lyon | 26 goals (52)
The Lyon legend has returned home after a spell with Arsenal and Lacazette has instantly found back his scoring boots, regardless of OL’s difficult start to the season.
#5 Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona | 23 goals (46)
The Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has already established himself as one of the all-time greats, but he will feel as though he still has more to prove after leaving the familiar surroundings of Bayern Munich to join La Liga powerhouse Barcelona.
#6 Victor Osimhen | Napoli | 23 goals (46)
Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has been a major component in Napoli’s winning juggernaut this season. The 24-year-old has had his share of fitness issues, but he is a dynamic game-changer when he is available, and Osimhen can fire Napoli to the Scudetto if he can steer clear of injuries.
#7 Jonathan David | Lille | 22 goals (44)
Jonathan David’s stock has been on the rise for some time, with Canada’s qualification for the 2022 World Cup set to further that cause, and it appears to be only a matter of time before the pacey forward spreads his wings outside of Ligue 1.
#8 Lautaro Martinez | Inter | 20 goals (40)
The Argentina international remains one of the best attackers around in the game and his form this campaign has been crucial to keep Inter’s chances of Serie A success alive early on.
#9 Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 19 goals (38)
Mohamed Salah is a name you’d expect to be in this running for the Golden Shoe every season, although not as low as he is in this list. However, he is gathering pace and upping his goalscoring form as Liverpool attempt to revive their ship in the second half of the season.
#10 Karim Benzema | Real Madrid | 18 goals (36)
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The 2021-22 Pichichi and UEFA Champions League Golden Boot winner has had to battle with injuries in the current season, but is still among the goals as Real Madrid aim to replicate the success under Carlo Ancelotti’s first season.