29LABs

The race is on once more to be crowned the continent’s leading marksman, with some of the most prolific forwards on the planet set to lead the way

While various Golden Boots are up for grabs within the leading divisions across Europe, there is only one Golden Shoe that can be acquired in any given season by the continent’s most prolific marksman.

The race to claim that prestigious prize is up and running once more, with some iconic forwards set to lead the charge for an individual accolade that marks them out as being superior to all of their fellow frontmen.

Robert Lewandowski, who has swapped Bayern Munich for Barcelona, finished in top spot last season with 35 league goals to his name – closely followed by the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema and Ciro Immobile – and GOAL is on hand to keep you across all of the runners and riders in the 2022-23 campaign.

1Erling Haaland | Manchester City | 26 goals (52)

Manchester City knew what they were getting when snapping up Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, with the Norwegian striker boasting power and pace in abundance, and one of the most sought-after talents on the planet did not disappoint when bursting out of the blocks for the Premier League champions.

2Victor Osimhen | Napoli | 18 goals (36)

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.

3Harry Kane | Tottenham | 17 goals (34)

England captain Harry Kane has earned a reputation as one of the most fearsome No.9s in world football, with the Tottenham forward fully deserving of that standing among the elite as a three-time Golden Boot winner and a man with over 180 Premier League goals to his name.

4Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona | 15 goals (30)

Polish striker Robert Lewandowski has already cemented a standing among the all-time greats, but he will believe that he has something to prove after choosing to walk away from the comforting surrounds of Bayern Munich and try his luck in Spain with La Liga giants Barcelona.

5Folarin Balogun | Reims | 15 goals (30)

New York-born, England U21 international Folarin Balogun has been held in high regard at Arsenal since he started to make a name for himself in their academy ranks, with a loan spell in France’s top flight allowing the promising youngster to unlock further potential on a prominent stage.

6Jonathan David | Lille | 15 goals (30)

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.

7Kylian Mbappe | Paris Saint-Germain | 15 goals (30)

A standing as the best player in world football may now be up for grabs, and Kylian Mbappe – given all that he has achieved for Paris-Saint Germain and as a World Cup winner with France – appears to be the most likely candidate to step into shoes once occupied by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

8Wissam Ben Yedder | AS Monaco | 14 goals (28)

Since becoming a starter for Toulouse, Ben Yedder has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in football currently. For AS Monaco he has scored 15+ goals and looks well on his way to repeating the same feat this season.

9Ivan Toney | Brentford | 14 goals (28)

It was not all that long ago that Ivan Toney was strutting his stuff in League One with Peterborough United but, having helped to fire Brentford to promotion into the Premier League, he is now a top-flight star and a man that is starting to earn international recognition with England.

10Lionel Messi | Paris Saint-Germain | 11 goals (22)

One of the greatest players of all time, is it any surprise to see Messi on this list? His move to PSG didn’t go exactly as planed last season, but with his ability goals are inevitable and they are even more so when Neymar and Mbappe are your strike partners!