European Golden Shoe battle: Kane out front, Mbappe and Haaland chase England captain | OneFootball

The European Golden Shoe is awarded to the top-scoring player on the continent, but who is leading the race for the 2025-26 award?

5. Igor Thiago - Brentford (19 goals)

Igor Thiago has taken to the Premier League with ease after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that derailed his debut season at Brentford.

The 24-year-old has scored 19 goals for the Bees, to fire the West London side into contention for Europe. Thiago's form was recognised with a maiden Brazil call-up in March and henetted his first international goal against Croatia.

"It's the greatest achievement of my life. I thank God... God is faithful, God has already written my story, and this was the day he chose for me to represent my country and score my first goal with the Canarinha," Thiago proudly reflected.

4. Vedat Muriqi - Real Mallorca (19 goals)

At 31, Vedat Muriqi is enjoying the most prolific campaign of his club career. The Kosovan centre-forward has scored 19 goals inLa Liga for Mallorca, including a stoppage-time winner to sink Real Madrid last weekend.

3. Erling Haaland - Manchester City (22 goals)

Erling Haaland is heading towards a third Premier League Golden Boot in just four seasons. The Norwegian has netted 22 league goals for Manchester City, and 30+ in all competitions for the fourth consecutive campaign.

After a relative drought in the Premier League, his hat-trick against Liverpool in the FA Cup suggested the striker is primed for a prolific run-in.

2. Kylian Mbappe - Real Madrid (23 goals)

Kylian Mbappe is the current holder of the European Golden Shoe after winning the award in 2024-25.

The Frenchman has fired again for Real Madrid, scoring 23 times in La Liga to date. Mbappe is also the Champions League's leading scorer with 14 goals in just 10 games.

1. Harry Kane - Bayern Munich (31 goals)

It will take something special to catchHarry Kane in the race for the Golden Shoe.

Kane has been the spearhead of aBayern Munich team chasing records in the Bundesliga, with the German giants now just five goals from breaking the divisional record for goals scored.

Kane has been responsible for 31 of their century so far, and has Robert Lewandowski's single-season record in his sights.

The England captain needs 12 goals from the final six games to get there. On current form, even that number is not beyond him.