Since its inception in 1960, the EURO apart from the World Cup, stands as Europe’s premier international football tournament. Despite some legendary players faltering on the continental stage, like Germany’s Thomas Muller and England’s Gary Lineker, who both clinched the World Cup Golden Boot but failed to score in the Euros, there have been notable exceptions. With Germany set to host the 17th edition, EURO 2024 let’s delve into history to explore every Golden Boot recipient in this prestigious tournament.
UEFA Euro Golden Boot winners over the years
From the early days of Milan Galic’s standout performance in 1960 to Cristiano Ronaldo‘s golden touch in 2020, the UEFA European Championship has seen its fair share of goal-scoring legends. David Villa and Fernando Torres wrote their own chapters of glory, Villa’s goals crucial to Spain’s 2008 victory and Torres’ memorable strikes in 2012 etching their names in football folklore. Antoine Griezmann’s brilliance in 2016 and Michel Platini’s record-breaking nine-goal haul in 1984 remain vivid memories
YearEURO Golden Boot Winner(s)CountryGoals1960Milan Galic, Francois Heutte, Valentin Ivanov, Drazan Jerkovic, Viktor PonedelnikYugoslavia, France, Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Soviet Union21964Ferenc Bene, Dezso Novak, Chus PeredaHungary, Hungary, Spain21968Dragan DzajicYugoslavia21972Gerd MullerWest Germany41976Dieter MullerWest Germany41980Klaus AllofsWest Germany31984Michel PlatiniFrance91988Marco van BastenNetherlands51992Dennis Bergkamp, Tomas Brolin, Henrik Larsen, Karl-Heinz RiedleNetherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Germany31996Alan ShearerEngland52000Patrick Kluivert, Savo MilosevicNetherlands, Yugoslavia52004Milan BarosCzech Republic52008David VillaSpain42012Fernando TorresSpain32016Antoine GriezmannFrance62020-21Cristiano RonaldoPortugal5
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Which Golden Boot winner scored the most goals in a single edition of Euro?
France icon Michel Platini, who led his team to triumph as hosts of the 1984 tournament, scored the most goals, nine. The record still remains to this day. Antoine Griezmann, winner of the Golden Boot in 2016, came close to breaking the record with six goals .
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo won the Euro 2020 Golden Boot after scoring five goals during the tournament. Both Ronaldo and Czech Republic forward Patrik Schick had five goals in the competition, but the 36-year-old Juventus star triumphed on the basis of assists.
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