"As the curtain closes on 2024, the continent's most prolific marksmen have left an indelible mark on Europe's top five leagues. From the Premier League's high-flying forwards to La Liga's clinical finishers, the Bundesliga's speedsters, Serie A's opportunists, and Ligue 1's rising stars, the battle for goal-scoring supremacy has been fierce.
In this article, we'll count down the top scorers from each of Europe's top five leagues, highlighting the players who have consistently found the back of the net and propelled their teams to success."
Modern football is criticized for a variety of reasons, ranging from overabundance to a perceived drop in entertainment value, but there is no doubting that the game is still endowed with a number of outstanding goal scorers.
Although there aren't many truly elite number nines, tactical advancements ensure that the top player isn't the only one responsible for scoring. For the past ten years, "inside forwards" have been popular because they may occupy desired scoring zones by performing inverted functions from wide positions. Because of this, the most productive players of 2024 are a good mix of adaptable forwards and outright nines.
Here were the top 12 leading goalscorers from Europe's top five leagues.
Vinicius Junior [Real Madrid]
• Games played: 30
• Goals: 19
• Minutes per goal: 118
The Brazilian's numbers are arguably not that outstanding given that plenty thought he was 'robbed' of the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Vini scored 19 times in 30 La Liga games in 2024 and delivered at critical moments during the first half of the year as Real Madrid earned yet another league title.
After recovering from a thigh injury in the new year and scoring in pivotal victories over Girona and Barcelona, the winger was unquestionably the finest player in the world for a short spell.
In the Champions League knockout stages, he contributed numerous assists and clutch efforts to his goal total. Despite the arrival of a certain Frenchman, Vini Jr has continued to prove that this is still his Real Madrid team.
Mohamed Salah [Liverpool]
Games played: 31
Goals: 23
Minutes per goal: 107
One of the greatest Premier League seasons ever is about to begin for the Egyptian.
Salah has contributed 30 goals, including 17 goals, in 18 games for the league leaders so far in 2024–2025. Talk about a force that is unavoidable.
If Salah can even approach his current output trend in the second half of the season, Liverpool will undoubtedly win their second Premier League title. However, the winger did slow down in the latter part of Jurgen Klopp's tenure, primarily because of a persistent muscle ailment.
Lois Openda [RB Leipzig]
Games played: 33
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 142
The Slovenian sensation was the subject of much of the talk surrounding RB Leipzig in 2024, but his quiet teammate outperformed the 21-year-old.
Openda has adapted to larger levels like a fish to water after dominating Ligue 1 with Lens. He is a flexible operator who enjoys drifting into open spaces but is skilled at leading the line.
The Belgian has speed to burn but is also a canny and selfless performer who's superb at bringing others into play. While Sesko scored 17 Bundesliga goals in 2024, Openda recorded 19.
Kylian Mbappe [PSG/Real Madrid]
Games played: 29
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 115
Putting bets After completing his long-awaited transfer to the Spanish capital, Mbappe took center stage in the summer headlines, but the French sensation hasn't had it all in Madrid. Even though 10 goals in 16 La Liga games is a decent return, some anticipated 2022–2023 First-year figures reminiscent of Erling Haaland.
Even the greatest players must adapt, and Mbappe has had to get used to collaborating with another confident superstar. The forward's performance at the end of 2024 indicates that 2025 will be a significant year.
Ante Budimir [Osasuna]
Games played: 33
Goals: 19
Minutes per goal: 131
Due to his struggles, Budimir has played in the second divisions of Germany, Italy, and Spain; however, the Croatian striker has made Osasuna his permanent home.
The 33-year-old scored 17 goals for the mid-table team in La Liga in 2023–2024, marking a career year. With ten goals in 18 games, his strike rate has only increased in 2024–25 as he looks to follow in Olivier Giroud's footsteps as a good wine.
Alexander Sorloth [Villarreal & Atletico Madrid]
Games played: 36
Goals: 25
Minutes per goal: 85
In 2024, Sorloth, a former Crystal Palace failure, scored more goals than any other player on this list. In La Liga, the tall 29-year-old scored a goal per 85 minutes on average.
The majority of his success came for Villarreal in the second half of 2023–2024. Prior to joining Atletico Madrid in the summer, Sorloth scored hat-tricks against Real Madrid and Granada.
The Norwegian striker hasn't yet made an impression in the Spanish capital, but he still understands where the goal is, and he concluded the year on a high note by defeating league leaders Barcelona in Catalonia with a last-minute goal.
Alexander Isak [Newcastle]
Games played: 33
Goals: 25
Minutes per goal: 107
The monster of Isak December offered a reasonable explanation for the alleged £150 million price tag Newcastle has placed on his head. Whether the Magpies make a strong comeback to the Champions League will probably determine his future.
Undoubtedly, the Swede is exerting every effort to bring the Toon Army back to the promised land. Even though Isak scored eight of his 25 Premier League goals in 2024 in December, the striker did it on a regular basis all year long.
Robert Lewandowski [Barcelona]
Games played: 37
Goals: 27
Minutes per goal: 109
Lewandowski was at his best in the first few months of 2024–2025, but he slowed down near the conclusion of the season and really showed inefficiency in front of goal.
Toward the end of Xavi's time at Barcelona, there were indications of deterioration, and the Pole had a negligible impact on the club legend's squad. But the entrance of Hansi Flick gave him more confidence at first, and he has worked brilliantly with Raphinha as a fake strike force.
Despite having three goals in his last seven games, he began the season with 14 goals in as many games. I hope he had a good winter.
Cole Palmer [Chelsea]
Games played: 36
Goals: 26
Minutes per goal: 120
In the first half of 2023–2024, Palmer hinted at his magic, and he continued to be so brilliant all year long. The nimble playmaker scored 26 goals in 36 Premier League games for a young Chelsea club, consistently dazzle fans with displays of incredible skill.
Palmer is relentless in his pursuit of success each time he takes the field, and in 2024, he surely did not let anyone down.
Harry Kane [Bayern Munich]
Games played: 30
Goals: 29
Minutes per goal: 89
The Englishman won the Gerd Muller Trophy, the European Golden Shoe, and the domestic Golden Boot at the end of his first season in Germany, averaging a goal in the Bundesliga just under per ninety minutes.
Would he exchange all of those for a DFL Supercup, in your opinion? In any case, with Bayern dominating the Bundesliga, Kane, who has 14 league goals in 14 games this season, finally appears to be on track to break his trophy drought by winning the Bundesliga.
Erling Haaland [Man City]
Games played: 35
Goals: 27
Minutes per goal: 110
It is indisputable that Haaland is an exceptional goal scorer, but during his first two years at Manchester City, the Nordic goal machine surely benefited from a purring juggernaut.
Haaland has acted as a buffer since the empire's sharp halt at the end of 2024. He started 2024–25 in normal form and appeared to be on track to lead this rating, but three goals in his final 10 league games of the year put him behind two of his peers.
Jonathan David [Lille]
Games played: 32
Goals: 25
Minutes per goal: 103
Even though David has a lot of connections to different teams, a transfer window cannot pass without him earning them. When it comes to scoring goals for Lille, the Canadian international has been as reliable as they come, and 2024 was yet another fantastic season for the 24-year-old.
Last season, David scored 19 goals to build on his 24-goal Ligue 1 performance from 2022–2023; he began 2024–2025 with 11 goals in 15 games. The striker has already scored six goals from the penalty spot this season, demonstrating his reliance on them as a consistent source of scoring satisfaction.