EURO 2024: The Top 10 Contenders for the Golden Boot

With EURO 2024 on the horizon and Germany set to host the tournament, excitement is building for the 17th edition of this globally-watched event. From its humble beginnings in 1960 with just four teams, EURO has expanded to include 24 teams competing across six groups after a rigorous qualification process. As the competition approaches, bookmakers have pegged England and France as joint favorites to lift the trophy, while defending champions Italy surprisingly find themselves as underdogs.

As Germany gears up to welcome a multitude of global stars, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe, Betimate has meticulously ranked the top contenders for the Golden Boot at EURO 2024. Each player will be evaluated based on several key factors, including their goal record in the qualifying matches, performances during the 2023/24 season, and their goal record in previous EURO tournaments.

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10. Patrik Schick

Czech Republic and Bayer Leverkusen

At EURO 2020, Patrick Schick shared the top spot in the goalscoring charts with Cristiano Ronaldo, both players netting five goals. However, Ronaldo clinched the Golden Boot award due to his one assist. Schick, the Czech Republic's center-forward, played a pivotal role in guiding his nation to the quarter-finals of the competition. Notably, he scored a stunning long-range strike against Scotland in the group stages, which was rightfully acknowledged as the Goal of the Tournament.

While replicating a similar goal tally in the upcoming EURO 2024 may pose a challenge for Schick, considering his nation's placement in a group with Portugal and Turkey (with the final team yet to be confirmed), he has demonstrated his capability on the pitch.

9. Federico Chiesa

Italy and Juventus

Italy, the reigning champions of the European Championship, have the opportunity to become only the second team in history to successfully defend their title, having emerged victorious in the 2020 edition. Federico Chiesa played a starring role in Italy's triumph in the previous tournament and will be eager to add to his impressive tally of seven goals for his country. Although the 26-year-old missed a significant portion of the qualifying matches due to injury, he showcased his goal-scoring prowess by scoring a brace in a 5-2 victory against North Macedonia.

Chiesa has also been in fine form for Juventus during the 2023/24 campaign, finding the back of the net six times. As he enters the prime years of his career, the supremely talented 26-year-old has a real chance of contending for the Golden Boot award at EURO 2024. With his skill and goal-scoring ability, Chiesa is certainly within reach of achieving this prestigious accolade.

8. Memphis Depay

Centre-forward for Netherlands and Atletico Madrid

Memphis Depay boasts an impressive record for the Netherlands, having scored 44 goals in 88 appearances for his country. With such prolific numbers, Depay is undoubtedly a strong contender for the Golden Boot award at EURO 2024. In the previous European Championship, the former Manchester United forward found the net twice and provided an assist in four appearances before the Netherlands were eliminated in the last 16 by the Czech Republic.

If Ronald Koeman's side aims to surpass their last 16 finish this time around, it would come as no surprise to see Memphis Depay leading the charge in the goal-scoring charts. At 29 years old, Depay is currently in the prime years of his career and could emerge as the main attacking force for his national team in Germany. With his skill, experience, and goal-scoring prowess, Depay has the potential to make a significant impact at EURO 2024.

7. Robert Lewandowski

Poland and Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski, one of the most prolific strikers in the world over the past decade, is highly regarded as a strong contender for the Golden Boot Award at EURO 2024. However, it is important to note that Poland must first qualify for the tournament. The 35-year-old has an impressive record of 82 goals in 146 appearances for his country. In the previous European Championship, Lewandowski scored twice before Poland exited in the group-stage phase.

Despite entering the twilight of his career, the Barcelona forward has shown little signs of slowing down. During the 2023/24 campaign, Lewandowski has continued to impress, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists for his La Liga side. Barcelona currently sit third in the title race, and Lewandowski's contributions have been instrumental in their pursuit of retaining the title.

6. Niclas Fullkrug

Borussia Dortmund and Germany

Niclas Fullkrug's international debut for Germany at the age of 29 marked a significant milestone, as he became the oldest outfield player to make his debut for the country in the past two decades. The Borussia Dortmund forward has experienced a remarkable ascent to the elite level in the later stages of his career. Since his arrival on the international stage, Fullkrug has displayed exceptional goal-scoring ability. In just 13 appearances for Germany, he has found the back of the net 10 times, an impressive strike rate. Notably, seven of these appearances came as a substitute.

If Fullkrug secures a place as a starter in Julian Nagelsmann's side, he has the potential to shine at EURO 2024 and emerge as a key source of goals for Germany. With the host nation expected to progress to the latter stages of the competition, Fullkrug could receive ample game time to make a strong case for the Golden Boot award. His late rise to prominence and prolific goal-scoring form make him an intriguing contender for this prestigious accolade.

5. Alvaro Morata

Atletico Madrid and Spain

Alvaro Morata, the striker for Atletico Madrid, has been in superb goal-scoring form under the guidance of Diego Simeone. He has impressively netted 19 goals in 31 appearances during the 2023/24 season. As a joint-top scorer in the Champions League, Morata's goal-scoring prowess has also shone through in the Spanish national team's qualifying matches, where he scored four goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Georgia. Consequently, Morata enters EURO 2024 in Germany with a great deal of confidence in front of goal.

Spain, who reached the semi-finals of EURO 2020, will be aiming to surpass that feat. As captain of the Spanish squad, the 31-year-old Morata is expected to play a vital role in their quest for success. With 10 previous appearances at the European Championships, Morata has already proven himself on this stage, having scored six goals. His experience and goal-scoring ability make him a key asset for Spain as they strive for glory in the tournament.

4. Romelu Lukaku

Belgium and AS Roma

Romelu Lukaku, the former Manchester United and Chelsea forward, emerged as the top scorer in the EUROs qualifying stage, finding the back of the net 14 times in just eight appearances. With such an impressive record, it is only natural to expect Lukaku to continue his goal-scoring form in Germany. In the previous European Championship, Lukaku scored four goals, finishing just one goal behind the Golden Boot winner Cristiano Ronaldo.

Now at the age of 30, Lukaku is a seasoned striker with vast experience. His goal-scoring prowess and maturity make him a strong candidate to be among the top scorers in the competition, provided his nation reaches the latter stages. Belgium, drawn in Group E alongside Slovakia and Romania (with the final team yet to be determined), are widely expected to progress. A deep run into the tournament, potentially reaching the final, would further enhance Lukaku's chances of being a firm contender for the Golden Boot award.

3. Harry Kane

England and Bayern Munich

Harry Kane, who made an £86m move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023, has been in sensational form for his new club. The 30-year-old center-forward currently leads the goal-scoring charts in the Bundesliga, having netted an impressive 24 goals in just 20 appearances. Kane's prolific scoring rate has established him as one of the most lethal strikers in the league.

Having already played 11 games at the European Championships, Kane has demonstrated his ability to find the back of the net on the international stage, scoring four goals and providing three assists. With England being considered joint favorites, alongside France, to win the EUROs, Kane is expected to play a pivotal role in their pursuit of the title. If England lives up to these expectations, the former Spurs forward could emerge as a strong contender for the Golden Boot Award. With his exceptional goal-scoring record and the potential for a deep run in the tournament, Kane has all the ingredients to compete for this prestigious accolade.

2. Kylian Mbappe

France and Paris Saint-Germain

Kylian Mbappe, widely regarded as one of the world's best players, will be eager to make amends for France's disappointing exit in the round of 16 at the previous European Championship. In that match, his crucial missed penalty contributed to France's shootout defeat against Switzerland.

Following his outstanding performances at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he helped lead Les Bleus to the final and claimed the Golden Boot Award, Mbappe is expected to once again serve as the talisman for his country. With his exceptional skills and goal-scoring ability, the Paris Saint-Germain winger has a real chance of topping the goal-scoring charts at EURO 2024. Mbappe's determination to prove himself on the international stage and his previous success make him a strong contender for the Golden Boot Award.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal and Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo, the prolific forward who currently plays for Al-Nassr, proved his goal-scoring prowess at the previous European Championship by netting five goals and clinching the top scorer title. In the upcoming EURO 2024, Ronaldo is more than capable of replicating that feat, especially considering his position in a world-class Portugal side. Despite celebrating his 39th birthday in February 2024, Ronaldo has shown little signs of slowing down at both club and international levels. He currently leads the goal-scoring charts in the Saudi Pro League, having scored an impressive 20 goals in just 18 appearances.

Ronaldo has continued to deliver for his national team as well, finishing as the second top scorer in the EUROs qualifying stage with 10 goals. As this may potentially be his final international tournament, it would be fitting for the Real Madrid legend to bow out with the Golden Boot and a second European Championship title for Portugal. Ronaldo's exceptional goal-scoring ability, experience, and determination make him a strong contender for this prestigious award as he looks to leave a lasting impact on the international stage.

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