European Golden Shoe

Annual association football award

Award

European Golden Shoe

Lionel Messi's 2012–13 Golden Shoe

Awarded for| Leading goalscorer from the top division of a European national league
Presented by| L'Équipe (1968–1991) European Sports Media (1997–present)
First award| 1968
Currently held by|  Kylian Mbappé (1st win)
Most wins|  Lionel Messi (6 wins)

The European Golden Shoe, also known as the European Golden Boot, is an award that is presented each season to the player with the most points in league matches from the top division of a European national league. The trophy is a sculpture of a football boot. The award, originally called Soulier d'Or, French for Golden Shoe, was launched in the 1967–68 season, and was given to the top goalscorer in all European leagues during a season. Since 1997, it has been calculated using a weighting in favour of the highest ranked leagues. Originally presented by L'Équipe newspaper, it has been awarded by the European Sports Media since the 1996–97 season. Lionel Messi has won the award a record six times, more than any other player in history.

## History

[edit]

Between 1968 and 1991, the award was given to the highest goalscorer in any European league. This was regardless of the strength of the league and the number of games in which the player had taken part. During this period Eusébio, Gerd Müller, Dudu Georgescu and Fernando Gomes each won the Golden Shoe twice.[1]

Following a protest from the Cyprus FA, which claimed that a Cypriot player with 40 goals should have received the award (though the official top scorers for the season are both listed with 19 goals), L'Équipe issued no awards between 1991 and 1996.[2]

Since the 1996–97 season, European Sports Media have awarded the Golden Shoe based on a points system that allows players in stronger leagues to win even if they score fewer goals than a player in a weaker league. The weightings are determined by the league's ranking on the UEFA coefficients, which in turn depend on the results of each league's clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons. Goals scored in the top five leagues according to the UEFA coefficients list are multiplied by two, goals scored in the leagues ranked 6 to 22 (previously[when?] 9 to 21) are multiplied by 1.5, and goals scored in leagues ranked 22 and below are multiplied by 1.[3] Thus, goals scored in higher-ranked leagues count for more than those scored in weaker leagues.[4] Since this change, there have only been two winners who were not playing in one of the top five leagues (Henrik Larsson, 2000–01 Scottish Premier League and Mario Jardel, 1998–99 Primeira Divisão and 2001–02 Primeira Liga).

Although the Golden Shoe could be shared among multiple players in the past, in the 2019–20 season this rule was changed to give the award to the player with the least minutes played, should there be a tie on points.[5] If tie persists, number of league assists and, then, the fewer penalties scored, would be counted. If the tie ultimately persists, the award would be shared.

## Winners

[edit]

Player (X) | Denotes the number of times the player had won the award at that time (for players with more than one award)

|

| Denotes player's club won league that season
| Player also top goalscorer in all European leagues (since 1996–97)[6]
European Golden Shoe winners[7] Season  | Player  | Club  | League  | Goals  | Points

|
|
|
|
|

Winners awarded by L'Équipe (1968–1991)
1967–68  |  Eusébio (1) | Benfica |  Primeira Liga | 42 | —
1968–69  |  Petar Zhekov | CSKA Sofia |  Parva Liga | 36 | —
1969–70  |  Gerd Müller (1) | Bayern Munich |  Bundesliga | 38 | —
1970–71  |  Josip Skoblar | Marseille |  Ligue 1 | 44 | —
1971–72  |  Gerd Müller (2) | Bayern Munich |  Bundesliga | 40 | —
1972–73  |  Eusébio (2) | Benfica |  Primeira Liga | 40 | —
1973–74  |  Héctor Yazalde | Sporting CP |  Primeira Liga | 46 | —
1974–75  |  Dudu Georgescu (1) | Dinamo București |  Liga I | 33 | —
1975–76  |  Sotiris Kaiafas | Omonia Nicosia |  Cypriot First Division | 39 | —
1976–77  |  Dudu Georgescu (2) | Dinamo București |  Liga I | 47 | —
1977–78  |  Hans Krankl | Rapid Wien |  Austrian Bundesliga | 41 | —
1978–79  |  Kees Kist | AZ |  Eredivisie | 34 | —
1979–80  |  Erwin Vandenbergh | Lierse |  Belgian First Division | 39 | —
1980–81  |  Georgi Slavkov | Botev Plovdiv |  Parva Liga | 31 | —
1981–82  |  Wim Kieft | Ajax |  Eredivisie | 32 | —
1982–83  |  Fernando Gomes (1) | Porto |  Primeira Liga | 36 | —
1983–84  |  Ian Rush | Liverpool |  First Division | 32 | —
1984–85  |  Fernando Gomes (2) | Porto |  Primeira Liga | 39 | —
1985–86  |  Marco van Basten | Ajax |  Eredivisie | 37 | —
1986–87  |  Toni Polster[a] | Austria Wien |  Austrian Bundesliga | 39 | —
1987–88  |  Tanju Çolak | Galatasaray |  Süper Lig | 39 | —
1988–89  |  Dorin Mateuț | Dinamo București |  Liga I | 43 | —
1989–90  |  Hristo Stoichkov | CSKA Sofia |  A PFG | 38 | —
Hugo Sánchez | Real Madrid |  La Liga
1990–91[b] |  Darko Pančev | Red Star Belgrade |  Yugoslav First League | 34 | —
1992–1996  | Not awarded
Winners awarded by European Sports Media (1997–present)
1996–97  |  Ronaldo | Barcelona |  La Liga | 34 | 68
1997–98  |  Nikos Machlas | Vitesse |  Eredivisie | 34 | 68
1998–99  |  Mário Jardel (1) | Porto |  Primeira Liga | 36 | 54
1999–2000 |  Kevin Phillips | Sunderland |  Premier League | 30 | 60
2000–01  |  Henrik Larsson | Celtic |  Scottish Premier League | 35 | 52.5
2001–02  |  Mário Jardel (2) | Sporting CP |  Primeira Liga | 42 | 63
2002–03  |  Roy Makaay | Deportivo La Coruña |  La Liga | 29 | 58
2003–04  |  Thierry Henry (1) | Arsenal |  Premier League | 30 | 60
2004–05  |  Thierry Henry (2) | Arsenal |  Premier League | 25 | 50
Diego Forlán (1) | Villarreal |  La Liga
2005–06  |  Luca Toni | Fiorentina |  Serie A | 31 | 62
2006–07  |  Francesco Totti | Roma |  Serie A | 26 | 52
2007–08  |  Cristiano Ronaldo (1) | Manchester United |  Premier League | 31 | 62
2008–09  |  Diego Forlán (2) | Atlético Madrid |  La Liga | 32 | 64
2009–10  |  Lionel Messi (1) | Barcelona |  La Liga | 34 | 68
2010–11  |  Cristiano Ronaldo (2) | Real Madrid |  La Liga | 40 | 80
2011–12  |  Lionel Messi (2) | Barcelona |  La Liga | 50 | 100
2012–13  |  Lionel Messi (3) | Barcelona |  La Liga | 46 | 92
2013–14  |  Luis Suárez (1) | Liverpool |  Premier League | 31 | 62
Cristiano Ronaldo (3) | Real Madrid |  La Liga
2014–15  |  Cristiano Ronaldo (4) | Real Madrid |  La Liga | 48 | 96
2015–16  |  Luis Suárez (2) | Barcelona |  La Liga | 40 | 80
2016–17  |  Lionel Messi (4) | Barcelona |  La Liga | 37 | 74
2017–18  |  Lionel Messi (5) | Barcelona |  La Liga | 34 | 68
2018–19  |  Lionel Messi (6) | Barcelona |  La Liga | 36 | 72
2019–20  |  Ciro Immobile | Lazio |  Serie A | 36 | 72
2020–21  |  Robert Lewandowski (1) | Bayern Munich |  Bundesliga | 41 | 82
2021–22  |  Robert Lewandowski (2) | Bayern Munich |  Bundesliga | 35 | 70
2022–23  |  Erling Haaland | Manchester City |  Premier League | 36 | 72
2023–24  |  Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |  Bundesliga | 36 | 72
2024–25  |  Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid |  La Liga | 31 | 62

Notes

1. ^ Original 1986–87 season winner Rodion Cămătaru (with 44 goals) was disqualified later and the trophy was awarded to Polster in 1990. However, Cămătaru was allowed to keep his copy of the trophy.[7]
2. ^ Darko Pančev got his prize for 1990–91 season later, only in 2006,[8] following a protest from Cyprus where a player supposedly scored 40 goals (though the official topscorers for the season, Suad Beširević and Panayiotis Xiourouppas, are listed with 19 goals each). Due to this affair, France Football decided to make the competition unofficial.[7]

### Multiple winners

[edit]

Lionel Messi is the all-time record winner of the award, having won it six times overall. He also holds the record for most goals and most points in a single season—50 and 100 respectively, in 2011–12. Cristiano Ronaldo is second on the all-time list, having won four Golden Shoes, as well as two consecutively. His record is 48 goals and 96 points respectively, in 2014–15. Gerd Müller was the first player to win the award twice, in 1970 and 1972. Eusébio was the first winner of the prize in 1968.

Lionel Messi is the only player to win the award six times, all with Barcelona. He also holds the all-time record for goals in a single season with 50 in 2011–12, which accumulated to a record 100 points. Bayern Munich's Gerd Müller was the first player to win the award twice, in 1969–70 and 1971–72. Messi was the first player to win the award three times, and Messi again was the first and so far only player to win it five and six times. Only Messi (2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19) has won the award in three consecutive seasons. Thierry Henry (2003–04 and 2004–05), Messi (2011–12 and 2012–13; 2016–17, 2017–18 and 2018–19), Cristiano Ronaldo (2013–14 and 2014–15) and Robert Lewandowski (2020–21 and 2021–22) have won the award in consecutive seasons. Diego Forlán (Villarreal and Atlético Madrid), Luis Suárez (Liverpool and Barcelona), Mário Jardel (Porto and Sporting CP) and Ronaldo (Manchester United and Real Madrid) are the only players to have won the award with multiple clubs. Ronaldo and Suárez are the only players to win the award in two different leagues, with each having won the award while playing in both the Premier League and La Liga.

Players that are still active in Europe are highlighted in boldface.
Players that are still active outside of Europe are highlighted in italics.

Multiple European Golden Shoe winners  Player  | Wins  | Seasons

|
|

Lionel Messi | 6  | 2009–10, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
Cristiano Ronaldo | 4  | 2007–08, 2010–11, 2013–14 (shared), 2014–15
Eusébio | 2  | 1967–68, 1972–73
Gerd Müller | 1969–70, 1971–72
Dudu Georgescu | 1974–75, 1976–77
Fernando Gomes | 1982–83, 1984–85
Mário Jardel | 1998–99, 2001–02
Thierry Henry | 2003–04, 2004–05 (shared)
Diego Forlán | 2004–05 (shared), 2008–09
Luis Suárez | 2013–14 (shared), 2015–16
Robert Lewandowski | 2020–21, 2021–22

### Winners by club

[edit]

European Golden Shoe winners by club  Club  | Total  | Players

|
|

Barcelona | 8  | 3
Bayern Munich | 5  | 3
Real Madrid | 5  | 3
Dinamo București | 3  | 2
Porto | 3  | 2
CSKA Sofia | 2  | 2
Liverpool | 2  | 2
Ajax | 2  | 2
Sporting CP | 2  | 2
Arsenal | 2  | 1
Benfica | 2  | 1
Austria Wien | 1  | 1
Rapid Wien | 1  | 1
Lierse | 1  | 1
Botev Plovdiv | 1  | 1
Omonia Nicosia | 1  | 1
Manchester City | 1  | 1
Manchester United | 1  | 1
Sunderland | 1  | 1
Marseille | 1  | 1
Fiorentina | 1  | 1
Lazio | 1  | 1
Roma | 1  | 1
AZ | 1  | 1
Vitesse | 1  | 1
Celtic | 1  | 1
Atlético Madrid | 1  | 1
Deportivo La Coruña | 1  | 1
Villarreal | 1  | 1
Galatasaray | 1  | 1
Red Star Belgrade | 1  | 1

### Winners by nationality

[edit]

European Golden Shoe winners by nationality Nationality  | Total  | Players

|
|

Portugal | 8  | 3
Argentina | 7  | 2
Netherlands | 4  | 4
Uruguay | 4  | 2
Bulgaria | 3  | 3
Italy | 3  | 3
Brazil | 3  | 2
France | 3  | 2
Romania | 3  | 2
Austria | 2  | 2
England | 2  | 2
Yugoslavia | 2  | 2
West Germany | 2  | 1
Poland | 2  | 1
Belgium | 1  | 1
Cyprus | 1  | 1
Greece | 1  | 1
Mexico | 1  | 1
Norway | 1  | 1
Sweden | 1  | 1
Turkey | 1  | 1
Wales | 1  | 1

### Winners by league

[edit]

European Golden Shoe winners by league  League  | Total  | Players

|
|

La Liga | 16  | 8
Premier League | 7  | 6
Primeira Liga | 7  | 4
Bundesliga | 5  | 3
Eredivisie | 4  | 4
Serie A | 3  | 3
Parva Liga | 3  | 3
Liga I | 3  | 2
Austrian Bundesliga | 2  | 2
Ligue 1 | 1  | 1
Cypriot First Division | 1  | 1
Belgian Pro League | 1  | 1
Scottish Premier Division | 1  | 1
Süper Lig | 1  | 1
Yugoslav First League | 1  | 1

## 2024–25 season standings

[edit]

As of 24 May 2025
2025 European Golden Shoe rankings  Rank  | Player  | Club(s)  | League(s)  | Goals  | Minutes[N 1] | Factor[N 2] | Points

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1  |  Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid |  La Liga | 31[9] | 2,912  | 2  | 62
2  |  Viktor Gyökeres | Sporting CP |  Primeira Liga | 39[10] | 2,871  | 1.5  | 58.5
3  |  Mohamed Salah | Liverpool |  Premier League | 29[11] | 3,377  | 2  | 58
4  |  Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona |  La Liga | 27[9] | 2,592  | 2  | 54
5  |  Harry Kane | Bayern Munich |  Bundesliga | 26[12] | 2,389  | 2  | 52
6  |  Mateo Retegui | Atalanta |  Serie A | 25[13] | 2,312  | 2  | 50
7  |  Alexander Isak | Newcastle United |  Premier League | 23[11] | 2,679  | 2  | 46
8  |  Omar Marmoush | Eintracht Frankfurt

* * *

Manchester City |  Bundesliga

* * *

Premier League | 22[12][11] | 2,554  | 2  | 44
9  |  Mika Biereth | Sturm Graz

* * *

Monaco |  Austrian Bundesliga

* * *

Ligue 1 | 24[14][15] | 2,376  | 1.5

* * *

2  | 42.5
10  |  Patrik Schick | Bayer Leverkusen |  Bundesliga | 21[12] | 1,686  | 2  | 42

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ In the case of a tie on points, players are ranked by fewest minutes played.
2. ^ The championships of the top five countries in the UEFA rankings have a factor of 2, whilst the countries ranked from 6th to 22nd place have a factor of 1.5. Other countries have a factor of 1.

## See also

[edit]

* Gerd Müller Trophy
* European association football club records and statistics § Most goals in a season in all club competitions

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Golden Boot: The Quotients Decide It All". soccerphile.com. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 20 February 2008.
2. ^ Kelly, Ryan (25 January 2022). "What is the European Golden Shoe? Winners, scoring & guide to top scorer award". Goal. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
3. ^ "European Golden Shoe". European Sports Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 September 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
4. ^ "The European Golden Shoe". FIFA. 13 March 2012. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
5. ^ "What does Cristiano Ronaldo need to secure his fifth Golden Boot?". Marca. 23 July 2020. Archived from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
6. ^ "European Topscorers by Season". rsssf.org. RSSSF. Archived from the original on 31 December 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
7. ^ a b c "Golden Boot ("Soulier d'Or") Awards". RSSSF.com. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
8. ^ "Macedonia's Pancev awarded Golden boot....15 years late". Dnaindia.com. 4 August 2006. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
9. ^ a b "La Liga Stats – Scorers". La Liga. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
10. ^ "Liga Portugal Stats - Goals". Liga Portugal. Retrieved 27 April 2025.
11. ^ a b c "Premier League Player Stats: Goals". Premier League. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
12. ^ a b c "Bundesliga Player Stats – Goals". Bundesliga. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
13. ^ "Statistics | Serie A". Serie A. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
14. ^ "Tore". www.bundesliga.at.
15. ^ "Schedule and Results - Ligue 1 McDonald's". Ligue 1. Retrieved 6 December 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to European Golden Shoe.

* Official website – European Golden Shoe Archived 4 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine
* List of winners since 1980–81 Archived 18 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine
* ESM Golden Shoe Archived 17 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine at WorldSoccer.com

* v
* t
* e

European Golden Shoe

L'Équipe award|

* 1967–68: Eusébio
* 1968–69: Zhekov
* 1969–70: Müller
* 1970–71: Skoblar
* 1971–72: Müller
* 1972–73: Eusébio
* 1973–74: Yazalde
* 1974–75: Georgescu
* 1975–76: Kaiafas
* 1976–77: Georgescu
* 1977–78: Krankl
* 1978–79: Kist
* 1979–80: Vandenbergh
* 1980–81: Slavkov
* 1981–82: Kieft
* 1982–83: Gomes
* 1983–84: Rush
* 1984–85: Gomes
* 1985–86: Van Basten
* 1986–87: Cămătaru & Polster
* 1987–88: Çolak
* 1988–89: Mateuț
* 1989–90: Sánchez & Stoichkov
* 1990–91: Pančev

Unofficial|

* 1991–92: McCoist
* 1992–93: McCoist
* 1993–94: Taylor
* 1994–95: Avetisyan
* 1995–96: Endeladze

ESM award|

* 1996–97: Ronaldo
* 1997–98: Machlas
* 1998–99: Jardel
* 1999–2000: Phillips
* 2000–01: Larsson
* 2001–02: Jardel
* 2002–03: Makaay
* 2003–04: Henry
* 2004–05: Henry & Forlán
* 2005–06: Toni
* 2006–07: Totti
* 2007–08: C. Ronaldo
* 2008–09: Forlán
* 2009–10: Messi
* 2010–11: C. Ronaldo
* 2011–12: Messi
* 2012–13: Messi
* 2013–14: C. Ronaldo & Suárez
* 2014–15: C. Ronaldo
* 2015–16: Suárez
* 2016–17: Messi
* 2017–18: Messi
* 2018–19: Messi
* 2019–20: Immobile
* 2020–21: Lewandowski
* 2021–22: Lewandowski
* 2022–23: Haaland
* 2023–24: Kane
* 2024–25: Mbappé

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