In 2024, Europe’s top five football leagues continue to showcase incredible talent, especially in the goalscoring department. The debate about modern football often revolves around tactical evolutions, the shifting role of forwards, and the apparent decline in the prominence of traditional number nines. However, these discussions can’t overshadow the abundance of elite goalscorers who continue to thrill audiences across the continent. Although the art of the classic centre-forward may no longer dominate as it once did, the presence of versatile attackers—such as inside forwards and fluid attackers—has kept the game exciting.
In 2024, we saw a mix of traditional centre-forwards, wide attackers, and fluid forwards who made up the most prolific performers across the top leagues in Europe. Some names, like Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, and Erling Haaland, continue to feature prominently, but there were also some new faces and surprise candidates who grabbed the headlines. Let’s take a closer look at the top 12 goalscorers in Europe’s elite competitions and how they earned their spots.
1. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
Games Played: 30
Goals: 29
Minutes per Goal: 89
Harry Kane’s move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 was one of the most significant transfers in European football, and the England striker wasted no time making his mark in the Bundesliga. Despite Bayern Munich’s historical struggles in 2024, which saw Bayer Leverkusen challenge for the title, Kane’s individual brilliance was undeniable. He netted an impressive 29 goals in 30 league appearances, winning both the Bundesliga Golden Boot and the European Golden Shoe for his efforts.
Kane’s ability to consistently score goals almost every 90 minutes (89 to be exact) was a testament to his elite finishing skills. His all-round play also improved in Germany, with his intelligent movement and ability to link up play aiding his new team. While he might have traded individual accolades for team success, Kane’s 2024 calendar year showed that he’s still one of Europe’s most lethal strikers.
2. Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
Games Played: 37
Goals: 27
Minutes per Goal: 109
Despite being on the back end of his illustrious career, Robert Lewandowski’s goalscoring ability remained as sharp as ever in 2024. The Polish striker had a brilliant start to the season, netting 14 goals in his first 14 games, and his performances continued to earn him a spot among the top scorers in La Liga. Lewandowski’s tally of 27 goals in 37 appearances was remarkable, but the veteran showed some signs of decline as the year progressed, particularly after Barcelona’s dip in form towards the end of the calendar year.
Nonetheless, Lewandowski’s technical prowess and experience meant he continued to deliver the goods for Barcelona, especially in the early part of the season under new head coach Hansi Flick. His ability to play off Raphinha and contribute to the team’s overall attacking play made him a key figure in Barcelona’s push for silverware.
3. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
Games Played: 35
Goals: 27
Minutes per Goal: 110
Erling Haaland’s goalscoring machine continued to hum in 2024, with the Norwegian striker scoring 27 goals in 35 Premier League appearances. However, Haaland’s season was not as straightforward as it was in his first year at Manchester City. While he started the 2024/25 season in typical fashion, netting goals at an incredible rate, he slowed down towards the end of the year, failing to score in several crucial matches.
Despite the dip, Haaland’s overall contribution to Manchester City’s attack remained vital. His combination of strength, speed, and clinical finishing makes him one of the most feared forwards in world football, and he remains one of the premier goalscorers across Europe’s top five leagues.
4. Alexander Sorloth (Villarreal/Atletico Madrid)
Games Played: 36
Goals: 25
Minutes per Goal: 85
Few expected Alexander Sorloth to emerge as one of the most prolific goalscorers in La Liga, but the Norwegian striker made a huge impact in 2024. His 25 goals in 36 appearances were remarkable, especially given the fact that he spent part of the year at Villarreal before moving to Atletico Madrid. Sorloth’s incredible goalscoring rate—one goal every 85 minutes—was the best in Europe’s top five leagues for 2024.
While much of his success came with Villarreal, he still proved to be a threat after his move to Atletico Madrid, scoring key goals in vital moments, including a memorable last-minute winner against Barcelona. Sorloth’s combination of height, aerial ability, and clinical finishing has helped him carve out a reputation as one of La Liga’s most dangerous forwards.
5. Jonathan David (Lille)
Games Played: 32
Goals: 25
Minutes per Goal: 103
Jonathan David has long been one of the most consistent goalscorers in Ligue 1, and 2024 was no different. The Canadian international, now 24 years old, bagged 25 goals in 32 league appearances for Lille. His well-rounded attacking play was a huge asset to his team, as he combined speed, technique, and finishing ability in equal measure.
David’s record in 2024 was highlighted by his composure in front of goal and ability to deliver from the penalty spot—six of his goals came from the spot. The forward’s consistent form has attracted attention from Europe’s biggest clubs, and his impressive tally is a reminder that Ligue 1 remains a fertile ground for top-level talent.
6. Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Games Played: 33
Goals: 25
Minutes per Goal: 107
Alexander Isak was one of the breakout stars of the Premier League in 2024, with the Swedish forward scoring 25 goals in 33 appearances for Newcastle United. His superb December, where he scored eight goals, was a significant factor in the club’s push for a top-four finish. Isak’s powerful presence, intelligent movement, and clinical finishing made him a nightmare for defenders across the league.
The striker’s performances were particularly important as Newcastle looked to return to the Champions League, and his success was a huge part of their ambitions for European football. Isak’s £150 million price tag now seems justified, and his goal-scoring exploits have only added to the excitement surrounding the Magpies.
7. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Games Played: 31
Goals: 23
Minutes per Goal: 107
Mohamed Salah continues to be one of the Premier League’s most potent attackers, and 2024 was yet another standout year for the Egyptian winger. He finished the year with 23 goals in 31 appearances, and his overall contribution to Liverpool’s success was crucial. Salah’s ability to score from wide positions and his incredible consistency make him a key figure in Jurgen Klopp’s team.
While he slowed down towards the end of 2024 due to a muscle injury, Salah’s early-season form, coupled with his penchant for big-game performances, solidified his status as one of the best forwards in Europe. With Liverpool leading the Premier League, Salah’s goalscoring exploits are key to their hopes of securing another league title.
8. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
Games Played: 30
Goals: 19
Minutes per Goal: 118
Vinicius Junior had a standout year for Real Madrid in 2024, scoring 19 goals in 30 La Liga appearances. While the Brazilian winger’s numbers might not have seemed as impressive when compared to others on this list, his performances were crucial for Real Madrid as they secured another league title. Vinicius’s ability to score in key moments, such as his match-winning goals against Girona and Barcelona, made him one of the standout players of the year.
Despite injuries and competition from new arrivals like Mbappé, Vinicius proved that Real Madrid remains his team. His combination of flair, speed, and clinical finishing was a huge asset for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and his presence in the final third was a constant threat for opposition defences.
9. Ante Budimir (Osasuna)
Games Played: 33
Goals: 19
Minutes per Goal: 131
Ante Budimir, the Croatian striker for Osasuna, enjoyed a career year in 2024. Having played in Germany, Italy, and Spain’s second tiers, Budimir found a home at Osasuna, and his form in 2024 was exceptional. He netted 19 goals in 33 La Liga appearances, including an impressive 10 goals in just 18 games during the second half of the year. At 33 years old, Budimir’s resurgence is a testament to his determination and professionalism.
His ability to score consistently for a mid-table team in La Liga has made him one of the league’s most reliable strikers, and his continued success suggests he could enjoy a late-career renaissance, similar to Olivier Giroud’s trajectory.
10. Lois Openda (RB Leipzig)
Games Played: 33
Goals: 19
Minutes per Goal: 142
Lois Openda, another Belgian forward, was an unexpected star in the Bundesliga in 2024, finishing the year with 19 goals in 33 games for RB Leipzig. The versatile forward had a solid season
, impressing with his pace, dribbling, and ability to find the back of the net. His performances earned him recognition, especially considering the hype surrounding his teammate, Benjamin Sesko. Openda’s adaptability in both wide and central positions made him a key player for Leipzig, and his link-up play was just as important as his finishing ability.
11. Kylian Mbappé (PSG/Real Madrid)
Games Played: 29
Goals: 19
Minutes per Goal: 115
Kylian Mbappé’s much-anticipated move to Real Madrid in 2024 was one of the biggest stories of the year, but his form in Spain wasn’t as dominant as many expected. After scoring 10 goals in 16 La Liga games, Mbappé showed glimpses of his world-class ability, but he had to adjust to life alongside other stars like Vinicius Junior and the tactical nuances of his new team. Nevertheless, his ability to score crucial goals and his overall contribution to Real Madrid’s attack were notable, and his form toward the end of 2024 suggested he will be a major force in 2025.
12. Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig)
Games Played: 33
Goals: 17
Minutes per Goal: 126
While Benjamin Sesko may not have reached the same heights as some of his counterparts in terms of goalscoring, he remains one of the most exciting young forwards in Europe. His potential is evident, and the 2024 season saw him score 17 goals in 33 appearances for RB Leipzig. His style of play—marked by excellent movement, a keen eye for goal, and physicality—has made him one of the most promising strikers on the continent.
As we can see, the top scorers of 2024 come from a variety of backgrounds, with some of the best players in the world continuing to dazzle fans across Europe. Whether through their finishing, link-up play, or sheer ability to score in crucial moments, these players have truly earned their place at the top of the rankings. With the tactical evolution of modern football and the rise of fluid forwards, it’s exciting to see how these stars will continue to perform in the years ahead.
