Ranking of the 12 best European scorers in 2024

There have been some electrifying performances from attacking players throughout 2024, but which footballers top the overall scoring charts in Europe during the calendar year?

Another exciting year of action across the continent is almost over, with so much entertainment on show, whether in domestic leagues or European competitions.

Extraordinary era Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring an incredible amount of goals in Europe may now be over after their moves to MLS and Saudi professional leaguebut there were still some world-class attacking players.

Here are the 13 best scorers in Europe in 2024 across all competitions.

12

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

29 goals

The rise of Cole Palmer has been quite incredible to watch, with the Englishman one of Europe’s most exciting players on current form, combining creativity and goalscoring in equal measure.

The Chelsea star may be effortlessly talented, gliding up the pitch and always oozing class, but he also has a huge amount of end product, with 29 goals coming his way in 2024. His first season at Stamford Bridge saw him hit 22 times in 29 Premier League starts.

11

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

29 goals

Cole Palmer’s sting by playing three fewer games is Liverpool star of the season, Mohamed Salah.

While the Reds’ form ended in an unconvincing 2023/24 season, the Egyptian has been untouchable in the current campaign, which has seen his goals rise.

Salah enters 2025 having scored in 10 of his last 11 Premier League games, netting 13 times in that period. He is currently the best player in the world, and continuing his current streak is sure to lead to numerous team and individual honors.

10

Krzysztof Piatek (Istanbul Basaksehir)

32 goals

Krzysztof Piatek may not be one of the most famous players on this list, but he has enjoyed a fantastic 12 months for Turkey’s Istanbul Basaksehir.

The 29-year-old has 32 goals in 2024, with 12 shots already coming into the Super League this season, not to mention netting nine times in the Conference League qualifiers and league stages combined.

9

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

32 goals

Vinicius Junior is undoubtedly one of the leading players in world football and has enjoyed a great year, capped off by a goal in Real Madrid victory over Borussia Dortmund in Champions League final in May.

The 24-year-old has scored a total of 32 times in all competitions, proving that he is the most devastating left-footed striker on the planet, and there is still plenty more to come from him in his career.

8

Jorginho (Differdange 03)

32 goals

Having worked at Differdange 03 in Luxembourg, you could be forgiven for not being much of an expert on their star striker, Jorginho.

His tally of 32 goals in just 35 matches puts him above world-famous names such as Vinicius and Palmer, showing what a memorable year he has enjoyed in his own right.

7

Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos)

34 goals

Ayoub El Kaabi is not the biggest name in the world, but the year he spent with Greek giants Olympiacos is worthy of great respect.

A total of 34 goals in just 39 outings is an incredible tally, which comes with a goal rate of every 89 minutes, which is superior to anyone else ahead of him on the list.

He scored five times in two games against Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League and scored the only goal in the final victory over Fiorentina, rounding off a great year.

6

Jonathan David (Lille)

36 goals

Jonathan David stands out as arguably the best attacking player in Ligue 1, scoring goals for fun at Lille while the Canadian talisman is at international level.

The 24-year-old had the sixth most goals in Europe during 2024, hitting the net 36 times in just 50 appearances, averaging a goal every 112 minutes in the process. Such a consistent performer already has 11 goals in 12 Ligue 1 starts this season.

5

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

37 goals

Kylian Mbappe he may still be looking for top gear in a Real Madrid shirt, but there’s no denying he’s been one of the world’s best players again in 2024, shining for his new club after another trophy-winning campaign at Paris Saint-Germain.

The French superstar has been putting his team-mate Vinicius in the goalscoring roles over the past 12 months, hitting the net 37 times in total, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him even further up the charts this time next year.

4

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

38 goals

Erling Haaland may not be in his best form Manchester City fighting in Premier Leaguebut it was another year to remember for one of the best strikers of his generation.

The colossal Norwegian scored 38 goals in 2024 and his performances helped inspire Pep Guardiola’s side to another league title. The scary thing is that he is still only 24 and City need to get him back to his best if they are to have any chance of lifting the league title.

3

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

39 goals

Harry Kane he may have received some criticism for his performances for England this year, considering that the Three Lions failed Euro 2024but it is impossible to argue with its inexorable result.

The 31-year-old scored a total of 39 times, with 14 goals in just 13 appearances in the Bundesliga so far this season for Bayern Munich showing that he is still a world-class force with plenty left in the tank.

2

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

40 goals

Robert Lewandowski absolute peak may have passed but the fact he was second top scorer in Europe 2024 underlines how incredible a footballer he still is, scoring goals for fun at Barcelona.

The legendary Pole has scored 40 goals in 52 appearances, an incredible goalscoring rate, and his brilliance in the final third will be needed between now and May if Barca are to beat Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to La Liga glory.

1

Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting CP)

52 goals

Viktor Gyokeres scored more goals than any other player in 2024 after an incredible period of form for Sporting CP.

The 26-year-old Swede has scored a staggering 52 times in total – 12 more than anyone else in the world’s top leagues, summing up why he is one of the most sought-after footballers in Europe. His sum of 23 goals already this season in the Premier League and the Champions League together is hard to believe.