The golden shoe award has changed over time, moving from just counting goals to a points system that considers how tough a league is. But its reputation just keeps getting better.
The following article delves into the careers and achievements of eleven of the most significant and prolific golden shoe winners in the history of the European Golden Shoe, detailing the seasons they conquered European football and the legacy they left behind.
Top 11 European Golden Shoe (Golden Boot) Winners of All Time
Lionel Messi – 6
Cristiano Ronaldo – 4
Robert Lewandowski – 3
Luis Suárez – 2
Ally McCoist – 2
Thierry Henry – 2
Marco van Basten – 2
Alfredo Di Stéfano – 2
Gunnar Nordahl – 2
Gerd Müller – 1
Eusébio – 1
People Also Read: Top 13 Ligue 1 Goal Scorers of All Time
11. Eusébio – 1 (1968–69)
The Portuguese legend Eusébio was the inaugural winner of the European Golden Shoe in the 1967-68 season, it was a big deal that showed he was one of the toughest forwards out there. The Black Panther scored 42 goals for Benfica in the Primeira Liga that year, proving just how fast he was and how powerful his shots could be.
Image Credit: GettyImages
Eusébio’s career was all about racking up goals, and he stood out during the 1966 World Cup as the top scorer. He also got his second golden shoe in the 1972-73 season with 40 goals for Benfica. Eusébio’s two wins of the golden shoe award are a glimpse into the past when Portuguese football was at its best, reminding us of a player who had both skill and flair.
He was a trailblazer, a superstar who raised the game and showed what it meant to be a top scorer, becoming one of the first iconic golden boot winners.
Get Today Football Predictions Here!
10. Gerd Müller – 1 (1970)
Before the modern days of football, there were some big names who ruled the scoring charts. Gerd Müller, known for his incredible goal-scoring ability, was the first player to win the golden shoe twice. Bayern Munich's famous striker won his first golden boot in the 1969-70 season, scoring 38 goals in the Bundesliga.
Müller was really sharp in the penalty box and often seemed to know where the ball was going to be before anyone else. Just two years later, in 1971-72, he did it again, this time with an impressive 40 goals, earning his second golden shoe. Müller’s two golden boot winners trophies were a particularly golden period for him and Bayern, who were in the process of building a dynasty.
Image Credit: GettyImages
The goals he scored weren't just for show; they were key to Bayern's success in both the league and Europe, helping the team win four Bundesliga titles and three European Cups in a row. Müller’s two golden shoe wins and his incredible overall goal-to-game ratio highlight a striker of a different era, one who relied on pure instinct and devastating finishing rather than pace or dribbling.
9. Gunnar Nordahl – 2 (1949, 1950)
Like Alfredo Di Stéfano, the prolific Swedish striker Gunnar Nordahl's remarkable goalscoring exploits in European football predated the creation of the European Golden Shoe. The award, which first recognized Eusébio as a deserving winner in the 1967-68 season, was simply not in existence during Nordahl’s prime.
Image Credit: GettyImages
His most formidable goalscoring years came with AC Milan in the 1950s, a period where he was an absolute force, becoming the Serie A top scorer, or Capocannoniere, a record five times. If the golden boot had been a feature of the footballing landscape in his time, it is highly probable that he would be listed among the most celebrated golden boot winners with multiple victories.
While he never won a golden shoe, Nordahl's legacy as a deadly marksman and a legend of Italian football remains undeniable.
People Also Liked: 11 Bundesliga Goal Scorers of All Time
8. Alfredo Di Stéfano – 2 (1956, 1957)
Even though these awards were handed out later, there's no doubt about Alfredo Di Stéfano's mark on the European Golden Shoe. His legacy as one of football’s greats makes him a foundational golden boot winner. The reason for this has to do with timing in history.
The golden shoe award started in the 1967-68 season, and by then, Di Stéfano was almost done with his playing career. He’s often thought of as one of the best goalscorers ever, but his prime years with Real Madrid, where he helped them win five straight European Cups, were before this award was even a thing.
Image Credit: GettyImages
If there had been a golden boot given out during his best years, with all his amazing goals in both local and European games, there's a good chance he would have been one of the most prolific golden shoe winners.
He’s a big deal in the sport, showing us what it means to be a well-rounded forward, his legacy as a goalscorer and a great of the game stands tall even without ever winning a golden shoe.
Click here for Free Football Predictions!
7. Marco van Basten – 2 (1985, 1986–87)
Marco van Basten, the legendary Dutch striker, won the European Golden Shoe in the 1985-86 season. While playing for Ajax, the talented forward netted 37 goals in the Eredivisie. Van Basten was a well-rounded striker, known for his great skills, strong shot, and ability in the air. That season, he shined on a young Ajax team that was starting to hit its stride.
His goal-scoring that year set the stage for a career with amazing highs and some tough lows, especially since injuries ended it early. He ended up winning three Ballons d'Or and helped the Netherlands clinch the European Championship, but his golden shoe win with Ajax was a key moment.
Image Credit: GettyImages
That’s when people really saw just how great his goal-scoring skills were before he became a worldwide star. His single golden boot victory is a reminder of the immense talent that was tragically lost to the game too soon.
6. Ally McCoist – 2 (1992 & 1993)
Ally McCoist is the first Scot on this notable list. He won the golden boot two years in a row in the early '90s. McCoist was a key striker for Rangers and was unmatched in scoring goals in the Scottish Premier Division. He won his first golden shoe in the 1991-92 season with 34 goals, a total he replicated the following year, in 1992-93, to secure his second golden shoe.
Image Credit: GettyImages
Back then, the Scottish league had a solid points system that worked in McCoist's favor. His success came from putting in the effort, making smart runs, and finishing strong in the box. He became a legend at Rangers and still holds the record as the club’s top goal scorer.
His two European golden boot wins are a significant achievement not just for him, but for Scottish football, highlighting a period where the domestic game produced a striker who could compete with the very best in Europe.
5. Thierry Henry – 2 (2003, 2004)
The list of two-time golden shoe winners continues with Thierry Henry, the epitome of the modern, elegant striker. The French forward at Arsenal was something special to watch. He had incredible speed, amazing skills, and a knack for finishing. He scored his first golden shoe in the 2003-04 season when Arsenal went unbeaten in the Premier League, netting 30 goals.
Image Credit: GettyImages
His goals were pure art, featuring everything from powerful shots to clever chips and stunning solo runs. He successfully defended his golden boot title the following season, in 2004-05, with 25 goals, although he had to share the golden boot award with Diego Forlán. Henry’s consecutive wins really solidified his place as one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen.
It wasn’t just about the goals he scored; it was how he scored them, always bringing flair to the game. He went beyond simply being a scorer; he treated the ball like a canvas. His two golden shoe awards truly show off his talent.
See Also: List of La Liga All-time Top Scorers
4. Luis Suárez – 2 (2014, 2016)
Luis Suárez is a name synonymous with biting controversies and jaw-dropping finishes in football and amongst this European Golden Shoe winners list. He won the golden shoe twice in two different leagues. The first time was during the 2013-14 season with Liverpool, where he scored 31 goals and played a huge role in their unexpected title push. Suárez had an amazing season, known for his hard work, great dribbling, and some incredible goals.
That year, he shared the golden boot with Cristiano Ronaldo, which showed just how well he played. His second European golden boot was won with Barcelona in 2015-16, a season where he took his goalscoring to new heights. He won the golden shoe twice in two different leagues. The first time was during the 2013-14 season with Liverpool, where he scored 31 goals and played a huge role in their unexpected title push.
Image Credit: GettyImages
Suárez had an amazing season, known for his hard work, great dribbling, and some incredible goals. That year, he shared the golden boot with Cristiano Ronaldo, which showed just how well he played. His two golden shoe wins showcase his versatility and adaptability, proving he could thrive and dominate in any league, with any team.
3. Robert Lewandowski – 3 (2014–2021)
Robert Lewandowski has made a name for himself among the winners of the European Golden Shoe and is known as one of the most reliable and dangerous strikers of his time. His back-to-back golden shoe award wins really speak for themselves. The Polish striker first earned the award during the 2020-21 season with Bayern Munich, where he scored an amazing 41 goals in the Bundesliga.
This total surpassed Gerd Müller’s old record for the most goals in a single Bundesliga season, a record that had been in place for almost 50 years. Lewandowski’s win of the golden boot was a triumph of clinical efficiency, intelligent movement, and sheer goalscoring instinct.
Image Credit: GettyImages
He did it again in the 2021-22 season, scoring another 35 goals for Bayern Munich. These achievements really cemented his status as a top striker, known for his single-minded focus on scoring. His knack for hitting the target was almost machine-like. Winning those golden shoes shows just how skilled he is as a center-forward.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – 4 (2007–2015)
Right behind the top spot is Cristiano Ronaldo, a player whose name always comes up alongside Messi in this ongoing debate about who's the best. The Portuguese superstar has claimed a golden shoe on four separate occasions, doing so across two of Europe’s most competitive leagues. His first big win came with Manchester United in the 2007-08 season, where he turned from a talented winger into a scoring expert.
He netted 31 goals in the Premier League, helping the team claim the league title and the Champions League. That performance made him the top player in the world, earning him his first Ballon d'Or. After moving to Real Madrid for a record amount, Ronaldo's goal-scoring really took off.
Image Credit: GettyImages
He claimed his second European golden shoe in 2010-11 with a remarkable 41 goals in La Liga, setting a new record at the time. He won his third and fourth golden boots in back-to-back seasons. In 2013-14, he tied with Luis Suárez, both scoring 31 goals. The next season, he took the award for himself with an incredible 48 goals.
That year really showed what he could do on the field. His strength, heading skills, and sharp finishing made him hard to defend against. Ronaldo’s four golden shoe wins really show his determination and natural talent, along with his desire to score goals in different situations.
1. Lionel Messi – 6 (2009–2022)
Finally, the man who has won the golden boot award a staggering six times, more than any other player in history: Lionel Messi. The Argentine maestro’s dominance of the European football goalscoring charts is a story of unparalleled brilliance. His first golden shoe was in the 2009-10 season, where he scored 34 goals in La Liga, helping Barcelona win the league.
What made this win stand out is that it happened while he was still changing from a fast winger to a central striker. His next three victories of the golden shoe were unprecedented. In the 2011-12 season, he scored a crazy 50 goals in La Liga, setting a new record. The next season, he netted another 46 goals and really stepped up to support the team's offense.
Image Credit: GettyImages
After a brief hiatus, Messi returned to the top of the charts with three consecutive wins of the European golden boot from 2016 to 2019. Scoring 37 goals in 2016-17, 34 in 2017-18, and 36 in 2018-19 shows that he was still a top threat in Europe as he got older. These achievements prove not only his knack for finding the net but also his amazing ability to stay competitive and his deep knowledge of the game, which helped him stay ahead of others.
The European Golden Shoe & Scoring Across Eras
In conclusion, the European golden shoe winners represent an exclusive club of footballing royalty. From the early days of Eusébio and Gerd Müller to the modern stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, these players are connected by their amazing track records of scoring goals.
Their individual journeys to winning the golden boot award are as varied as their playing styles, reflecting different eras and different leagues, yet all tell a story of an unyielding pursuit of excellence.
Every name on this list, like Dudu Georgescu and Robert Lewandowski, shows a time when they were the top goal scorers in Europe. They made a real impact on soccer and set a standard for future players to aim for. Check out the full European Golden Shoe list here on ESPN.
People Also Ask About Champions League Golden Boot Winners
Who has the most golden boots in Champions League history?
Lionel Messi has bagged the European Golden Boot six times, which is a record. He took home the award in 2009-10, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19. Cristiano Ronaldo is next in line with four wins, which he got in 2007-08, 2010-11, 2013-14, and 2014-15.
Who is the king of the golden boot?
Lionel Messi holds the record for winning the award six times, making him the all-time winner. He also set records for the most goals and points in one season, with 50 goals and 100 points during the 2011-12 season. Cristiano Ronaldo comes in second, with four Golden Shoes to his name, including two in a row.
Who is the top scorer in UCL history in a single season?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in Champions League history with 140 goals in 183 games. He also set the record for the most goals in one season, scoring 17 during the 2013-14 season with Real Madrid.
Has Mbappe won the European Golden Boot?
Kylian Mbappé wrapped up the season as the league's top scorer, snagging the Pichichi Trophy. This is also the first time he's claimed the Golden Boot as the leading scorer in European leagues.
Has Haaland won the European Golden Boot?
In 2023, he bagged the Premier League Golden Boot, the European Golden Shoe, and the Gerd Müller Trophy for being a top scorer.
Related Articles
Premier League Top Scorers of All-Time (Comprehensive List)