Kylian Mbappé Honored with European Golden Boot for 2024-2025 Season
Kylian Mbappé has officially received the European Golden Boot award, recognizing him as the top goal scorer from the leading leagues across Europe in the 2024-25 season. The ceremony took place at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium before Real Madrid’s recent LaLiga match against Valencia.
Mbappé tallied 31 goals during the league campaign, marking a significant achievement as he joins an elite group of past winners. He is only the third player from Real Madrid to earn this prestigious accolade, following legends Hugo Sánchez and Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won it four times in total (three with Madrid and once with Manchester United).
The award was officially conferred upon Mbappé in May, but the celebration was delayed until last weekend.
The hunt for this year’s Golden Boot, which has a history dating back to 1968, has seen many greats like Eusébio, Gerd Müller, and Lionel Messi etch their names into its legacy. As the new season unfolds, however, an unexpected name is rising to the forefront: Darko Lemajic, a player from Rigas Futbola Skola in Latvia, currently leads the charge for the 2025-26 award with 28 goals. Unlike Mbappé and others who are only beginning their seasons, Lemajic has benefitted from the Latvian league’s summer scheduling, giving him ample matches to accumulate his tally.
Understanding the European Golden Boot Scoring System
The method used to calculate the standings for the European Golden Boot has changed since 1997, relying on a points system that considers the competitiveness of the league. Goals scored in the top five European leagues are worth two points each, while goals in the next tier of leagues are assigned 1.5 points, and those in less competitive leagues receive one point.
This system explains why players like Lemajic, who has 28 points from his league goals, can lead while players like Haaland and Mbappé, despite scoring fewer goals, each hold 26 points due to their contributions in stronger leagues.
As Lemajic’s season has concluded, his competitors will now have the opportunity to catch up in the months ahead.
Current Top 10 Standings
10. Harry Kane, Bayern Munich (12 goals, 24 points)
Kane has picked up where he left off last season, netting 12 goals in just nine Bundesliga appearances. His current form suggests he could climb the leaderboard significantly as the season progresses.
9. Nahir Besara, Hammarby IF (17 goals, 25.5 points)
Hammarby sits second in the Swedish Allsvenskan, with Besara among the league leaders in goals. However, the team trails behind Mjällby AIF, which recently secured the league title.
8. Ibrahim Diabate, GAIS (17 goals, 25.5 points)
Diabate shares the spotlight as a top scorer in the Allsvenskan, contributing significantly to GAIS, who finished third and qualified for the UEFA Conference League.
7. August Priske, Djurgården (17 goals, 25.5 points)
Another top performer in Sweden, Priske’s contributions have been crucial for Djurgården this season.
6. Kasper Høgh, Bodo/Glimt (17 goals, 25.5 points)
Høgh has also shone in the Norwegian Eliteserien, competing for the top score as Bodo/Glimt aims for league glory.
5. Daniel Karlsbakk, Sarpsborg FK (17 goals, 25.5 points)
Karlsbakk’s efforts place him alongside Høgh in the hunt for the Golden Boot, while Sarpsborg’s overall season has been less dramatic.
4. Klaemint Olsen, NSI Runavik (26 goals, 26 points)
Despite a third-place finish for Runavik in the Faroe Islands Premier League, Olsen’s individual scoring prowess is noteworthy.
3. Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid (13 goals, 26 points)
With his intent evident in the early season, Mbappé leads the LaLiga scoring charts consistently finding the back of the net in consecutive matches.
2. Erling Haaland, Manchester City (13 goals, 26 points)
Haaland has shown his exceptional skills in the Premier League too, making headlines with his goal-scoring ability while closing in on a record for fastest 100 Premier League goals.
1. Darko Lemajic, Rigas Futbola Skola (28 goals, 28 points)
A towering presence at 6-foot-6, Lemajic has been prolific in the Latvian league, showcasing his talent and helping his team compete effectively this season.
n
