As the 2024-25 European football season reaches its midpoint, the continent’s top forwards continue to dazzle with remarkable goal-scoring feats.
With several familiar names among the leaders, Swedish striker Victor Gyökeres has emerged as the standout performer in the race for the European Golden Shoe.
Gyökeres, playing for Sporting CP, tops the provisional ranking with an impressive 21 goals in just 17 matches, amassing 1,515 minutes on the pitch.
His prolific form has placed him ahead of some of the most celebrated forwards in world football, solidifying his reputation as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers.
In second place is Liverpool’s Egyptian talisman, Mohamed Salah, who has maintained exceptional consistency this season.
Salah has netted 18 goals in 19 matches, totaling 1,677 minutes of play.
His sharp finishing and relentless work rate continue to drive Liverpool’s attack, making him an indispensable asset to Jürgen Klopp’s side.
Robert Lewandowski, the evergreen FC Barcelona striker, occupies the third spot.
Despite being 36 years old, the Polish forward remains one of Europe’s most reliable goal scorers.
With 16 goals in 18 matches and 1,484 minutes played, Lewandowski’s form shows no signs of decline, reinforcing his legendary status.
Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, often a fixture at the top of scoring charts, currently sits in fourth place.
The Norwegian has scored 16 goals in 20 matches, accumulating 1,794 minutes.
While slightly trailing his usual pace, Haaland’s physicality and clinical finishing remain pivotal to Manchester City’s campaign.
Rounding out the top five is Costa Rican forward Manfred Ugalde, representing Spartak Moscow.
The 22-year-old has scored 15 goals in 18 matches, logging 1,444 minutes.
Ugalde’s performances in the Russian Premier League have drawn widespread attention, marking him as a rising star in European football.
Notably absent from the top ranks is Kylian Mbappé, who has yet to replicate his usual scoring dominance this season.
The French striker, now with Real Madrid, has scored 10 goals since his summer move.
While his tally remains respectable, it falls short of the blistering standards he has set in previous campaigns.
Provisional top 5 European scorers (2024-25 season):
- Victor Gyökeres (26, Sporting CP, Sweden) – 21 goals in 17 matches (1,515 minutes)
- Mohamed Salah (32, Liverpool, Egypt) – 18 goals in 19 matches (1,677 minutes)
- Robert Lewandowski (36, FC Barcelona, Poland) – 16 goals in 18 matches (1,484 minutes)
- Erling Haaland (24, Manchester City, Norway) – 16 goals in 20 matches (1,794 minutes)
- Manfred Ugalde (22, Spartak Moscow, Costa Rica) – 15 goals in 18 matches (1,444 minutes)
With several months left in the season, the race for Europe’s Golden Shoe promises to be fiercely competitive, as football’s brightest stars continue their quest for goal-scoring glory.
