2023 European Golden Boot: Players Leading the Race, Messi and Benzema Not Included.

It was created in 1967-68 with Portuguese legend, Eusebio da Silva Ferreira winning the inaugural prize that season.

Over the years, it has been scooped up by some of the best names in the history of soccer. Names such as Ronaldo Nazario, Diego Forlan, Francesco Totti, Thierry Henry, Marco Van Basten, and Gerd Muller have had the rare privilege of clinching the reputable award. Cristiano Ronaldo has won it four times while World Cup winner, Lionel Messi, has won it a record six times, the most recent being in 2018-19.

But it"s an entirely different 2022-23 season. Some big names like Lionel Messi and Karim Benzema are nowhere near winning the award for top scorer this season. And there certainly are some unexpected stars who are in the contest to clasp this gold in addition to some really lionized soccer stars. And so, who are those leading the treasure hunt?

1.) Amahl Pellegrino(Norway, FK Bodø/Glimt)

Eliteserien league forward who plays for FK Bodø/Glimt, the 32-year-old has 25 goals in 27 league games for his club this season. They finished second on the league table with 60 points behind Molde"s 78 points.
Last season, Pellegrino found the back of the net only six times in 15 appearances in the league.

Based on a league factor of 1.5, Pellegrino has 37.5 points and leads the rankings

Points: 37.5

2.) Erling Haaland(England, Manchester City)

Highly backed to win this award due to his unswerving performance for Manchester City ever since joining them back in August. Erling Haaland just can"t stop scoring goals and tearing nets. He"s done that 18 times in 13 appearances so far(the top scorer in Europe"s five major leagues). It"ll only take a matter of time before he eclipses Pellegrino

Points: 36

3.)Robert Lewandowski(Spain, FC Barcelona)

A prolific goalscorer, adept striker and goal machine who consistently defies the laws of ageing to produce stellar performances, the Pole is currently the holder of the European Golden boot, having won the previous award (2021-22) with Bayern Munich as well as 2020-21.

Despite his move to Spain, Lewandowski has been able to notch 13 goals in 14 appearances. He happens to be the oldest on this list at 34.

Points: 26

4.) Harry Kane(England, Tottenham Hotspur)

The quintessential striker, Harry Kane is that one player who has a knack for scoring goals, though quite, unfortunately, the English man"s career has been blighted so far by an empty trophy gallery.

Scoring only 17 times in 37 league games last season, Harry Kane has 13 goals to his name this season in 16 games with his club currently occupying their trademark fourth position.

Points: 26

5.) Bobur Abdikholikov(Belarus, Energetik-BGU Minsk)

Another uncommon name, Abdikholikov has the most goals on this list, having scored 26 times for the Belarusian club in the Vysshaya Liga where he happens to be the league"s highest goal scorer. He"s ranked fifth by virtue of a league factor of 1

Points: 26

6.) Kylian Mbappe(France, Paris Saint Germain)

Now here"s one we all know so well, the star of the World Cup. He"s led the pack for PSG this season quite spectacularly and was able to carry on his formidable form to Qatar. The 2018 World Cup winner has scored 12 times in 14 games. His league factor of 2 doubles his tally for 24 scoring points

Points: 24

7.)Christopher Nkunku(Germany, RB Leipzig)

A countryman and national teammate of Mbappe, the French prodigy has been firing on all cylinders this season for Leipzig, earning himself a highly-deserved spot in Deschamps" World Cup squad but for injury woes. Nkunku"s probably the biggest reason Leipzig is third in the Bundesliga and in the UCL knock-out stages. With 12 goals in 15 games, Nkunku has 24 points.

Points: 24

8.) Raimondo Krollis(Latvia, Valmiera)

Aged just 21, the Latvian forward has 24 goals to his name for Valmiera. Based on a league factor of 1, he has exactly 24 scoring points

Points: 24

9.) Hugo Vetlesen(Norway, Bodø/Glimt)

Pellegrino"s teammate, Hugo Vetlesen scored 16 goals in 29 appearances for his club this season. Based on a league factor of 1.5, he has 24 scoring points

Points: 24

10.) Casper Tengstedt(Norway, Rosenborg)

We conclude this list with yet another unfamiliar name. Also playing in the Norwegian top tier, Tengstedt found the back of the net 15 times for Rosenborg who finished third with 56 points and behind Bodø/Glimt"s 60. The Dane has 22.5 points based on a league factor of 1.5

Points: 22.5

main image credits: Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images