SAFARI NEWS: The Golden Shoe of Europe

At the conclusion of each season, the highest league scorer in Europe is given the European Golden Shoe.

The European Golden Shoe is only open to league goals scored in the top level, and each goal receives points based on the calibre of the league in which it was scored.

Since its inception in 1968, the honour has gone to the player with the most goals scored in the continent, regardless of the calibre of the league. There were too many players from inferior leagues receiving the award, therefore the rules were adjusted to the current weighting method.

The player with the most European Golden Shoe victories is Lionel Messi. The most recent victory by the Argentine legend came in 2018–19 for Barcelona.

winners of The Golden Shoe competition in Europe

Year	Goals	Points
2020–21	41	82
2019–20	36	72
2018–19	36	72
2017–18	34	68
2016–17	37	74
2015–16	40	80
2014–15	48	96
2013–14	31	62
2012–13	46	92
2011–12	50	100
2010–11	40	80
2009–10	34	68
2008–09	32	64
2007–08	31	62
2006–07	26	52
2005–06	31	62
2004–05	25	50
2003–04	30	60
2002–03	29	58
2001–02	42	63
2000–01	35	52
1999–2000	30	60
1998–99	36	72
1997–98	34	68
1996–97	34	68
1995–96	40
1994–95	39
1993–94	43
1992–93	34
1991–92	34
1990–91	34
1989–90	38
1988–89	43
1987–88	39
1986–87	39
1985–86	37
1984–85	39
1983–84	32
1982–83	36
1981–82	32
1980–81	31
1979–80	39
1978–79	34
1977–78	41
1976–77	47
1975–76	39
1974–75	33
1973–74	46
1972–73	40
1971–72	40
1970–71	44
1969–70	38
1968–69	36
1967–68	42

European Golden Shoe champions by country of origin

Country	Win(s)	Year(s)
Argentina	7	2018–19, 2017–18, 2016–17, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2009–10, 1973–74
Portugal	7	2014–15, 2010–11, 2007–08, 1984–85, 1982–83, 1972–73, 1967–68
Netherlands	4	2002–03, 1985–86, 1981–82, 1978–79
Brazil	3	2001–02, 1998–99, 1996–97
Italy	3	2019–20, 2006–07, 2005–06
Romania	3	1988–89, 1976–77, 1974–75
Uruguay	3	2015–16, 2013–14, 2008–09
Austria	2	1986–87, 1977–78
Bulgaria	2	1980–81, 1968–69
France	2	2004–05, 2003–04
Germany	2	1971–72, 1969–70
Scotland	2	1992–93, 1991–92
Wales	2	1993–94, 1983–84
Yugoslavia	2	1990–91, 1970–71
Armenia	1	1994–95
Belgium	1	1979–80
Cyprus	1	1975–76
England	1	1999–2000
Georgia (country)	1	1995–96
Greece	1	1997–98
Mexico	1	1989–90
Poland	1	2020–21
Sweden	1	2000–01
Turkey	1	1987–88

European Golden Shoe winners by club

Country	Win(s)	Year(s)
FC Barcelona	8	2018–19, 2017–18, 2016–17, 2015–16, 2012–13, 2011–12, 2009–10, 1996–97
FC Bayern Munich	3	2020–21, 1971–72, 1969–70
FC Dinamo 1948	3	1988–89, 1976–77, 1974–75
FC Porto	3	1998–99, 1984–85, 1982–83
Real Madrid	3	2014–15, 2010–11, 1989–90
Ajax Amsterdam	2	1985–86, 1981–82
Arsenal FC	2	2004–05, 2003–04
SL Benfica	2	1972–73, 1967–68
Liverpool FC	2	2013–14, 1983–84
Rangers FC	2	1992–93, 1991–92
Sporting CP	2	2001–02, 1973–74
AZ Alkmaar	1	1978–79
Atlético de Madrid	1	2008–09
Austria Wien	1	1986–87
Botev Plovdiv	1	1980–81
CSKA-Sofia	1	1968–69
Celtic FC	1	2000–01
Red Star Belgrade	1	1990–91
Deportivo de La Coruña	1	2002–03
ACF Fiorentina	1	2005–06
Galatasaray	1	1987–88
SS Lazio	1	2019–20
KSK Lierse Kempenzonen	1	1979–80
Manchester United	1	2007–08
Margveti	1	1995–96
Olympique Marseille	1	1970–71
Omonia Nicosia	1	1975–76
CPD Porthmadog	1	1993–94
FC Pyunik Yerevan	1	1994–95
Rapid Vienna	1	1977–78
AS Roma	1	2006–07
Sunderland AFC	1	1999–2000
Vitesse Arnhem	1	1997–98