Who Will Claim the Golden Shoe This Year?

The race for the European Golden Shoe is heating up for the 2025-26 season, with Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé all vying for the prestigious award. Currently, Kane leads with 19 goals (38 points) from 15 Bundesliga matches, while Haaland matches him on goals but has played two more games in the Premier League. Mbappé follows closely with 18 goals (36 points) in 18 La Liga appearances. As the season progresses, the competition remains fierce, and any of these top scorers could claim the trophy.

Last updated: 08 October 2023 (BST)

What’s happening now

The battle for the European Golden Shoe is intensifying as the 2025-26 football season approaches its halfway mark. With Harry Kane leading the pack, the stakes are high, and the competition is fierce. The award has seen different winners over the past three seasons, with Erling Haaland being the last Premier League player to win it in 2022-23. As it stands, Kane, Haaland, and Mbappé are neck-and-neck, each boasting impressive goal tallies that could easily shift as the season progresses.

Key takeaways

Harry Kane currently leads the race with 19 goals in the Bundesliga.
Erling Haaland also has 19 goals but from two additional matches in the Premier League.
Kylian Mbappé is close behind with 18 goals in La Liga.
The award operates on a weighted points system based on league performance.
Recent seasons have seen varied winners, indicating a highly competitive landscape.

Timeline: how we got here

The European Golden Shoe has evolved significantly since its inception in the 1967-68 season. Below is a brief timeline of key milestones leading up to the current season:

1967-68: The award is launched by French newspaper L'Equipe.
1997-98: European Sports Media takes over the award, introducing a points-based system.
2011-12: Lionel Messi sets the record for most goals in a season with 50 goals (100 points).
2019-20: Tiebreaker rules are modified to reward players with fewer minutes played first.
2022-23: Erling Haaland wins the Golden Shoe with a record 36 goals in the Premier League.
2023-24: Harry Kane wins his first Golden Shoe with the same total, but for Bayern Munich.
2024-25: Kylian Mbappé claims the award after scoring 31 goals for Real Madrid.

What’s new vs what’s known

New today/this week

The current standings show Kane, Haaland, and Mbappé closely competing for the Golden Shoe, with Kane leading by just one goal. This is particularly noteworthy as it sets the stage for an intriguing second half of the season, where any slip-up could shift the title of top scorer.

What was already established

Over the past few seasons, the Golden Shoe has been awarded to different players, highlighting the dynamic nature of top-tier football. The points system and tiebreaker rules have also contributed to a more competitive atmosphere among top scorers.

Impact for the UK

Consumers and households

The battle between these footballing giants not only captivates fans but also impacts viewership and merchandise sales, especially in the UK where football holds significant cultural importance. As the race heats up, increased engagement can lead to higher revenues for clubs and related businesses.

Businesses and jobs

Football clubs benefit from the heightened visibility that comes with their players competing for prestigious awards. Increased ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting rights are potential revenue streams that can lead to job creation within the sector.

Policy and regulation

As the season progresses, clubs may also look to leverage their players' performances in negotiations with sponsors and partners. The visibility of top scorers can lead to increased commercial opportunities, further affecting the football landscape in the UK.

Numbers that matter

19 goals (38 points) - Harry Kane, leading the Bundesliga scoring chart.
19 goals (38 points) - Erling Haaland, with two more matches played in the Premier League.
18 goals (36 points) - Kylian Mbappé, competing in La Liga.
28 goals - Darko Lemajic, fourth in the standings from the Latvian league.
18 goals (27 points) - Ayase Ueda, joint fifth in the Eredivisie.

Definitions and jargon buster

European Golden Shoe: An award given annually to the top scorer in league matches in European football.
Uefa coefficient: A ranking system used to determine the strength of European leagues based on their performance in UEFA competitions.
Points-based system: A scoring method in which goals scored in different leagues are weighted based on the league's Uefa coefficient.

How to think about the next steps

Near term (0–4 weeks)

As the season progresses, keep an eye on upcoming fixtures for Kane, Haaland, and Mbappé. Their performances over the next few weeks will be crucial in determining who gains the upper hand in the race for the Golden Shoe.

Medium term (1–6 months)

With the end of the season approaching, player form and injury status will play vital roles. Clubs may also adjust their strategies to maximise the goal-scoring potential of their star players, impacting their final tallies.

Signals to watch

Upcoming fixtures for the top contenders and their respective teams.
Injury reports or any changes in player form that could influence their scoring abilities.
Changes in league standings that may affect team dynamics.

Practical guidance

Do

Monitor fixture schedules for the leading players closely.
Follow player performances and updates from their respective clubs.
Engage with football analysis and commentary for deeper insights.

Don’t

Underestimate the impact of fixtures on player performance.
Ignore the potential for other emerging players to enter the race.
Overlook the importance of injuries and team dynamics on scoring chances.

Checklist

Check weekly goal tallies for the top contenders.
Review match schedules to anticipate critical fixtures.
Stay updated with injury news and player form.
Follow expert analysis for predictions and insights.
Engage with fan communities for discussions and opinions.

Risks, caveats, and uncertainties

As the Golden Shoe race continues, several uncertainties remain. Player injuries could drastically affect goal tallies, and fluctuations in form can change the landscape quickly. Furthermore, the potential for other players to emerge from lower-profile leagues should not be dismissed, as they could disrupt the established order among the current top scorers.

Bottom line

The race for the 2025-26 European Golden Shoe is shaping up to be one of the most competitive yet, with Harry Kane currently leading a tightly contested field. As the season unfolds, the performances of these elite players will be crucial in determining who ultimately claims this prestigious accolade.

FAQs

Who has the most European Golden Shoe awards?

Lionel Messi holds the record for the most European Golden Shoe awards, having won it six times during his illustrious career at Barcelona.

How is the Golden Shoe winner determined?

The winner of the Golden Shoe is determined based on a points system that weighs goals scored in different leagues according to their Uefa coefficient ranking.

What happens in the event of a tie?

If there is a tie on points, the award goes to the player with the least minutes played. If still tied, assists and penalties are taken into account before potentially sharing the award.