Final European Golden Shoe rankings for the season

FC Barcelona v Real Sociedad - La Liga Santander
FC Barcelona superstar Messi

Since the 1996/97 season, the European Golden Shoe has been awarded based on a points system, with goals scored in Europe's top five leagues - according to the UEFA coefficients - multiplied by a factor of two.

The season began interestingly with a number of contenders in the race for the golden shoe, although the number did dwindle as the season progressed, with only a few maintaining their goal-scoring prowess.

These players have had stellar seasons for their clubs and in a couple of months, at the end of the league campaigns, the winner will be decided.

On that note, here we take a look at the final standings of the European Golden Shoe.


#5 Ciro Immobile

Ciro Immobile  of SS Lazio during the Serie A football match...
Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio during the Serie A football match...

Lazio's striking sensation, Ciro Immobile has been on fire in the Italian Serie A, notching a staggering 29 goals this campaign, earning 58 points. Although Lazio missed out on a Champions League place and finish in fifth place in the Serie A after Inter Milan pipped the side to fourth.

The Italian striker has gelled brilliantly with the likes of Felipe Anderson and Nani at the club and is receiving great service from his teammates. Immobile could be on his way out of Lazio, this transfer window.

Immobile, now 28 years old, is in the prime of this career and proving to be a difficult player to handle in and around the penalty area. An outside contender to win the Golden Shoe, Immobile earlier in the season Immobile has had a stellar campaign finishing fifth.

#4 Robert Lewandowski

FBL-GER-CUP-BAYERN MUNICH-FRANKFURT
Lewandowski celebrates a goal for Bayern

Bayern Munich talisman and Polish captain, Robert Lewandowski has been in great form throughout the campaign for his club, notching 29 Bundesliga goals and earning himself 58 points.

In what's been an exciting year, Lewandowski will be spearheading Poland to the World Cup after blasting through the qualifying process.

Lewandowski could make a move away from Bayern despite looking very settled at the club and consistently scoring goals. The Polish captain is a key figure for the Bavarian giants and will be for his country at the World Cup. He has finished fourth in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

#3 Harry Kane

Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League
Last season's Premier League golden boot winner

England and Spurs’ number nine Harry Kane, after a poor start to the season in August, found his feet quickly and the goal on numerous occasions, claiming 30 goals in the league this campaign, earning 60 points.

Despite Spurs' loss to Juventus in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final, Spurs did finish in the top four and secured a spot in next year's Champions League.

Kane has been in supreme goal-scoring touch but niggling injuries have hampered the player's consistent run of appearing and scoring in games.

Kane, a winner of the last two Premier League golden boots, finished second in the league behind Mohamed Salah this season and third in the race for the European Golden Shoe.

#2 Mohamed Salah

Liverpool v Watford - Premier League
Salah has been outstanding this season for Liverpool

Liverpool’s Egyptian striker, Mohamed Salah joined the Merseyside club on a five-year deal worth €35 million from Roma at the start of the season. He has adapted to life at Anfield superbly, notching a staggering 32 goals in the Premier League so far this season.

A ferociously quick and attacking player, Salah has broken a number of club records during his time so far at Liverpool. Salah has proved himself to be a brilliant acquisition by Jurgen Klopp, who has helped the Egyptian play closer to goal and become a contender for the Premier League’s Golden Boot race, and the European Golden Shoe race this season, as Liverpool look rampant going forward.

If Salah keeps finding the net, Liverpool could be in for a stellar end to their campaign, while the player will head to the World Cup in great spirits. Salah finished second with a tally of 64 points.

#1 Lionel Messi

FC Barcelona v Juventus - UEFA Champions League
Messi continues to shine for FC Barcelona

Lionel Messi accomplished what most footballers never achieve in their footballing careers by the young age of 23. He made his Barcelona debut in 2005 at the tender age of 17, and in the next six years, the Argentine claimed 3 UEFA Champions League trophies, 5 La Liga titles, and 2 Club World Cups.

Messi most recently played a massive part in taking the Catalan giants through to the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League, beating Chelsea. Messi has been in sublime touch this season as well, as he has notched 34 goals in the La Liga, as Barcelona looks set to claim another league title. The striker also won the race for the European Golden Shoe with 68 points fending off Mo Salah, winning it five times and setting a new record.

Only the FIFA World Cup and the Copa America elude the 30-year-old genius and the Argentinian will be itching for a World Cup trophy this year at Russia.

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Edited by Amit Mishra