The UEFA European Championship has consistently showcased football’s brightest talents, and among them, the top goalscorers etch their names into history. While an official award for the tournament’s leading scorer wasn’t established until EURO ’96, with Alan Shearer claiming the inaugural title on home turf, the legacy of these prolific players stretches back to the very first tournament in 1960. Let’s delve into the annals of the Euros and celebrate every top scorer from each edition of this prestigious competition.
EURO Top Goalscorers: By Tournament
From the early days of the tournament to the modern era, several players have risen to the occasion, demonstrating exceptional goal-scoring prowess. Here’s a comprehensive list of the top scorers in each EURO tournament:
- 1960: François Heutte (France), Viktor Ponedelnik (USSR), Valentin Ivanov (USSR), Dražan Jerković (Yugoslavia), Milan Galić (Yugoslavia) – 2 goals
- 1964: Jesús María Pereda (Spain), Ferenc Bene (Hungary), Deszö Novák (Hungary) – 2 goals
- 1968: Dragan Džajić (Yugoslavia) – 2 goals
- 1972: Gerd Müller (West Germany) – 4 goals
- 1976: Dieter Müller (West Germany) – 4 goals
- 1980: Klaus Allofs (West Germany) – 3 goals
- 1984: Michel Platini (France) – 9 goals
- 1988: Marco van Basten (Netherlands) – 5 goals
- 1992: Henrik Larsen (Denmark), Karl-Heinz Riedle (Germany), Dennis Bergkamp (Netherlands), Tomas Brolin (Sweden) – 3 goals
- 1996: Alan Shearer (England) – 5 goals
- 2000: Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands), Savo Milošević (Yugoslavia) – 5 goals
- 2004: Milan Baroš (Czech Republic) – 5 goals
- 2008: David Villa (Spain) – 4 goals
- 2012: Fernando Torres (Spain)*, Alan Dzagoev (Russia), Mario Gomez (Germany), Mario Mandžukić (Croatia), Mario Balotelli (Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – 3 goals
Fernando Torres receiving the Euro 2012 Golden Boot award, recognizing his top scorer achievement in the tournament.
- 2016: Antoine Griezmann (France) – 6 goals
Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates winning the Golden Boot as the top scorer of Euro 2016.
- 2020: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)**, Patrik Schick (Czechia) – 5 goals
- 2024: Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Harry Kane (England), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia), Dani Olmo (Spain), Ivan Schranz (Slovakia) – 3 goals
*Torres was awarded the 2012 Golden Boot due to an assist and fewer minutes played compared to other players with three goals. **Ronaldo received the 2020 award based on assists.
Multiple Tournament Top Scorers
While many players have topped the scoring charts in a single EURO, some legends have consistently found the net across multiple tournaments, cementing their place among the EUROs all-time top scorers.
Most final tournament goals:
- 14: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
- 9: Michel Platini (France)
- 7: Antoine Griezmann (France), Alan Shearer (England), Álvaro Morata (Spain), Harry Kane (England)
Single Tournament Scoring Records
The record for most goals in a single EURO final tournament remains a testament to individual brilliance.
Most goals in a single final tournament:
- 9: Michel Platini (France, 1984)
EURO Player of the Tournament
Since 1996, UEFA’s technical observers have also recognized the overall best player of each tournament, adding another layer of prestige to individual performances at the Euros.
Player of the Tournament awards:
- 1996: Matthias Sammer (Germany)
- 2000: Zinédine Zidane (France)
- 2004: Theodoros Zagorakis (Greece)
- 2008: Xavi Hernández (Spain)
- 2012: Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
- 2016: Antoine Griezmann (France)
Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy, named Player of the Tournament at EURO 2020, a goalkeeper recognized for his outstanding performance.
- 2020: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
- 2024: Rodri (Spain)
Conclusion
The Euros Top Scorers represent the pinnacle of goal-scoring achievement in European international football. From the shared honors of the early tournaments to the Golden Boot era, these players have provided unforgettable moments and defined eras of the European Championship. Their legacy continues to inspire future generations of footballers aiming to make their mark on this grand stage.
