The first game of Euro 2024 is finally upon us as hosts Germany face Scotland at the Allianz Arena tonight as an endless month of football is set to begin.
The most exciting part of any major tournament beginning is the excitement and anticipation of the unknown. Anything can happen as some of footballs biggest names aim to take home the most coveted prize in Europe.
However for those who have a knack in front of goal, they will be hoping they can end the tournament with the highest tally in front of the net. Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrick Kluivert have all claimed the European Championship Golden Boot.
Despite the popular notion that the golden boot winner will walk away with a gold medal with their team as well is not always the case, as none of those named earlier experienced success with their team the year they slotted home the most goals in the tournament.
Here are the favourites for the Euro 2024 Golden Boot award.
England’s Harry Kane is not favourite to take home the Golden Boot at Euro 2024
5. Jude Bellingham
After experiencing a remarkable debut season with Spanish giants Real Madrid, winning both La Liga and the Champions League final, England fans will be hoping that the 20-year-old can carry his flying form into Euro 2024 with England.
It may be a shock seeing Bellingham as fifth favourite to take home the Golden boot ahead of some world class strikers like Lewandowski and Giroud.
Especially since he is expected to adopt the number ten role for Southgate’s men in Germany this summer but nobody can deny the form the young Madrista is in.
Bellingham has had an amazing debut season with Real Madrid and will be hoping to carry his domestic success into the national team
4. Romelu Lukaku
Despite facing constant criticism for his composure in front of goal from Chelsea fans the stats don’t lie.
The Belgian forward who is currently on loan at Roma from Chelsea is formidable in front of goal, scoring 50 plus goals in three seasons.
He is arguably an even better striker for his country, scoring 85 goals in 115 appearances. Heading into Euro 2024, his qualifying record is outstanding.
Finding the back of the net 14 times in just eight games – which was a new record for a Euros qualifying campaign.
Heading into Euro 2024, Lukaku’s qualifying record is outstanding, finding the back of the net 14 times in just eight games
3. Cristiano Ronaldo
The only player on the list to already have taken home the Golden Boot award, the Portuguese striker is a hot commodity in front of goal when it comes to the international stage.
Despite the 39-years-old age and this Euros likely being his last, Ronaldo is always capable of delivering, especially when it is on one of the biggest stages in Europe.
He is the greatest ever goalscorer at international level and will be hoping he can bolster his lead at the top during Euro 2024. Due to his shear competitiveness and willingness to succeed – it is no surprise his tis third favourite to take home the golden boot award.
2. Harry Kane
This may come as a shock to many but the SuperComputer only has England’s talisman as second favourite to take home the golden boot award.
Kane has been on fire for Bayern Munich this season, scoring 44 goals in 45 appearances for the Bundesliga side in his first year at the club.
His form for England is not too bad either, scoring 63 goals in 91 games for the Three Lions.
The 30-year-old will be hoping he can help lead the Three Lions to glory this year and winning the golden boot award would be the cherry on top.
Kane has been on fire for Bayern Munich this season, scoring 44 goals in 45 appearances for the Bundesliga side in his first year at the club
1. Kylian Mbappe
The only man who could dethrone Harry Kane as the favourite to take home the golden boot, is France’s Kylian Mbappe.
He has already proven that he can show up in big tournaments, no more so than the 2022 World Cup.
Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot award for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar
The French man took home the Golden Boot award scoring eight goals in Qatar, which was aided by a hattrick in the final against Argentina.
The 25-year-old, now a Real Madrid player will be hoping he can once again lead Didier Deschamps from the front and go on to reclaim the European Championship which they won back in 2016.