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The European Golden Shoe is a prestigious accolade that is handed to the leading goalscorer in league matches from the top division of every European national league. Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi were the favorites for it throughout the last decade but things have changed recently.
The European Golden Shoe remains one of the hardest accolades to win in the game
While one may believe that players not from the Premier League have a better chance of winning this award, it is not all that easy. Yes, the competition in other countries is slightly lesser than in England, but it takes incredible consistency to win this honor. Regardless, some players have managed to do so this season and are in line to win the European Golden Shoe.
On that note, let’s take a look at five prime contenders for the European Golden Shoe this season (2021-22):
#5 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
Karim Benzema has been one of the most prolific centre-forwards in world football this season and arguably the best in Spain. The Frenchman made a great return to the national team at Euro 2020 and carried his good form into the current campaign.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018, the 34-year-old ace has been a talisman at the Spanish club. His leadership qualities, coupled with his excellent understanding of the game, have turned him into one of Real Madrid's most important assets.
Moreover, he has been lethal in front of goal and has been far more clinical than most strikers in La Liga this season. So far, Benzema has bagged 17 goals in 21 league appearances.
The France international is in the running for the European Golden Shoe this season but that will require him to be more consistent in the second half of the campaign.
#4 Dusan Vlahovic (Fiorentina, Juventus)
Dusan Vlahovic is having the best season of his career this term and things are looking on the up for the Serbian international. The striker had an unbelievable first half of the season with Fiorentina, which convinced Juventus to spend €75 million to sign him in January.
The centre-forward was brilliant for La Viola last season but he notched his performances up a level in the current campaign. Vlahovic, for the most part, has developed into an all-round threat for opposition teams. He can beat defenders with pace, guile and even in aerial duels.
Moreover, he can score with both feet, thereby tricking defenders more often than not. The Serb scored 17 goals in 21 games for Fiorentina before scoring on his debut for Juventus recently, thereby taking his tally to 18 for the season.
Although Vlahovic is not leading the race for the European Golden Shoe, he certainly has more than a fair shot at winning it this season. Even more so if he replicates his early-season form at the Turin-based club.
#3 Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen)
Patrik Schick has turned into a fearless centre-forward during his last couple of years in the Bundesliga. The Czech Republic ace has done quite well at Bayer Leverkusen this season and is a contender for the European Golden Shoe.
While only few may have heard his name four or five years ago, Schick has worked on his game over the last couple of seasons. He was not potent in front of goal initially and lacked the stature to lead the attack from the front.
But he looks far more composed now and his slick touches and innate efficiency have turned him into a free-scoring striker. The recently turned 26-year-old ace has scored 19 goals in 19 appearances this season.
Schick may not have the most goals in Europe this season but could achieve the same with a thrilling second half campaign.
#2 Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
Ciro Immobile has become the main man at Lazio once again this season. The centre-forward won the European Golden Shoe in 2020 and is hoping to get his hands on the award again this term.
A truly gifted striker, Immobile plays with a lot of passion and with a smile on his face. The Italian ace is tactically astute and relies on his technical abilities rather than his pace to beat defenders. Moreover, his movement is quite impecable, thereby helping him beat the offside line and even defenders in the air. He has 19 strikes in 21 appearances this season but looks keen on adding more.
Immobile understands the importance of the European Golden Shoe and will be interested in bagging the award for a second time in three years.
#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Robert Lewandowski is yet again the frontrunner to win one of the most glorious individual awards in European football. The Bayern Munich ace won the European Golden Shoe last season and is primed to do so again this term.
Although the German giants comfortably retain their league title season after season, Lewandowski plays a huge part in doing so. While some attackers may have an off day, the Polish sensation has always been one of the best players on the pitch, if not the outright best.
His fitness, strength on the ball and an eye for goal have ensured that he is still one of the hardest strikers to keep a hold of. To put his importance into perspective, the centre-forward has scored a ridiculous 26 goals in 22 Bundesliga games this season.
Few can stop Lewandowski from winning the European Golden Shoe this season and it is likely that he will retain the esteemed accolade.
