There is a litany of complaints about modern football, from overabundance to a suggested decline in entertainment, but there is no denying that the sport is still blessed with a group of elite goalscorers.
Sure, there may be a shortage of truly world-class number nines, but tactical evolution means scoring responsibilities no longer fall solely on the leader at the top.
‘Inside forwards’ have been all the rage over the last decade, with reverse roles from wide positions allowing these snipers to occupy preferred goal areas. As a result, there is a healthy balance between the absolute nine and the flexible forwards who make up the most prolific players of 2024.
Here were the 12 top scorers in Europe’s top five leagues.
Games played: 33
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 142
Benjamín Sesko this, Benjamín Sesko that. Blah blah blah.
Much of the talk surrounding RB Leipzig in 2024 seemed to focus on the Slovenian player, but the 21-year-old was outgunned by his modest teammate.
After starring in Ligue 1 with Lens, Openda has risen to bigger stages like a fish in water. He is a versatile operator who is adept at leading the line but prefers to move into wide areas. The Belgian has speed to burn, but is also a crafty and unselfish player who is excellent at putting others into play.
While Sesko scored 17 goals in the Bundesliga in 2024, Openda scored 19.
Games played: 33
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 131
Budimir’s problems have taken him to the German, Italian and Spanish second divisions, but the Croatian forward has found a lasting home in Osasuna.
The 33-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2023/24 as he scored 17 La Liga goals for the mid-table side. His goal rate has only improved in 2024/25 (ten goals in 18 games) as he aims to embark on an Olivier Giroud-style fine wine trajectory.
Games played: 30
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 118
The Brazilian’s numbers may not be that Impressive given that many thought the 2024 Ballon d’Or had been ‘stolen’ from him. Vini scored 19 goals in 30 La Liga games in 2024 and had some great moments during the first half of the year as Actual Madrid claimed another league title.
The winger was arguably the best player in the world for a time after returning from a thigh injury in the new year, scoring crucial wins over Girona and Barcelona.
His goal tally was complemented by frequent assists and key performances in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Despite the arrival of a certain Frenchman, Vini Jr has continued to show that this is still are Current Madrid team.
Games played: 29
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 115
Uh huh, speaking of.
Mbappé dominated the summer headlines by finally completing his long-awaited move to the Spanish capital, but the French superstar certainly hasn’t had his way in Madrid.
Ten goals in 16 La Liga games is a more than respectable return, but some expected similar numbers to Erling Haaland’s in 2022/23 in year one. Even the best have to acclimatise, and Mbappé has had to adapt to working in harmony with another confident star.
The striker’s form at the end of 2024 would suggest that we are in for a big 2025.
Games played: 31
Goals: 23
Minutes per goal: 107
The Egyptian is embarking on one of the best Premier League seasons of all time.
So far in 2024/25, Salah has registered 30 goals (including 17 goals) in 18 games for the league leaders. It speaks of an inevitable force.
Liverpool will surely clinch their second Premier League title if Salah can even come close to matching his current production trajectory during the second half of the season, but the winger slowed down during the latter part of Jurgen Klopp’s reign, mainly due to a persistent muscle injury.
Games played: 33
Goals: 25
Minutes per goal: 107
Isak’s monster December provided fair justification for the £150million price tag Newcastle have put on his head. His future will likely depend on whether the Magpies make a strong return to the Champions League.
Without a doubt, the Swede is doing everything in his power to return the Toon army to the promised land.
While a portion of Isak’s 25 Premier League goals in 2024 came in December (eight, to be precise), the forward scored consistently throughout the year.
Games played: 32
Goals: 25
Minutes per goal: 103
A transfer window refuses to go by without David gaining plenty of links with a variety of clubs. The Canadian international has been very consistent on Lille’s scoring front, and 2024 was another excellent 12 months for the 24-year-old.
David followed up his 24-goal Ligue 1 campaign of 2022/23 with 19 goals last season, and began 2024/25 with 11 from 15. Once again, he relies on penalties as a reliable source of scoring satisfaction, and the forward has already scored. six times from the spot this season.
Games played: 36
Goals: 25
Minutes per goal: 85
No player on this list scored more frequently than Sorloth, who once flopped with Crystal Palace in 2024. The towering 29-year-old averaged a goal every 85 minutes in La Liga, with most of his success coming for Villarreal during the second half. from 2023/24.
Sorloth scored hat-tricks against Granada and Actual Madrid before joining Atlético Madrid in the summer.
He is yet to convince in the Spanish capital, but the Norwegian hitman certainly still knows where the target is and his calendar year ended on a high when he scored a last-gasp winner to defeat league leaders Barcelona , in Catalonia.
Games played: 36
Goals: 26
Minutes per goal: 120
Palmer showed his magic during the first half of 2023/24 before maintaining such brilliance throughout the calendar year.
The instinctive playmaker scored 26 goals in 36 Premier League games for a surging Chelsea team, constantly dazzling fans with sequences of extravagant skills.
Palmer is relentless in making things happen every time he takes the field, and he certainly didn’t disappoint in 2024.
Games played: 35
Goals: 27
Minutes per goal: 110
There’s no denying Haaland’s remarkable goalscoring ability, but the Nordic scoring machine certainly benefited from a purring giant during his first two years at Manchester Metropolis.
The empire stagnated dramatically towards the end of 2024 and Haaland has been cushioned as a result. He looked well on course to top these rankings after starting the 2024/25 season in his ordinary form, but three goals in his last ten league games of the calendar year puts him behind two contemporaries.
Games played: 37
Goals: 27
Minutes per goal: 109
While Lewandowski slowed down towards the end of the year and actually proved ineffective in front of goal, the veteran superstar performed at a peak level during the first months of 2024/25.
There were signs of decline towards the end of Xavi’s tenure at Barcelona, with the Pole’s influence on the club legend’s team considerably minimal. However, he was initially emboldened by the arrival of Hansi Flick and has worked in glorious tandem with Raphinha as a false attacking force.
He started the season with 14 goals in as many games, but has three in his most recent seven. Let’s hope the winter has passed well.
Games played: 30
Goals: 29
Minutes per goal: 89
Bayer Leverkusen’s historic campaign meant Kane was once again trophyless in 2024 after moving to Bayern Munich, but the forward continued doing what he does best.
The Englishman averaged a goal barely every 90 minutes in the Bundesliga and finished his debut campaign in Germany with the national Golden Boot, the European Golden Boot and the Gerd Müller Trophy.
Do you think I would change all that for a DFL Super Cup?
Regardless, Kane, who has 14 league goals in 14 games so far this season, finally looks set to end his trophy drought via the Bundesliga title with Bayern leading the way.
