Ranking the top 13 goalscorers in Europe 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 has almost been and gone, with so much entertainment on show, whether in the domestic leagues or European competitions.

The remarkable era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring freakish numbers of goals in Europe may now be over following their respective moves to MLS and the Saudi Pro League, but there have still been some world-class attacking players on show.

Here are the top 13 goalscorers in Europe in 2024 in all competitions.

13

Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

28 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 scoring in equal measure.

The Chelsea star may be effortlessly talented, gliding across the pitch and always exuding class, but he also has a huge amount of end product, with 28 goals coming his way in 2024. His first season at Stamford Bridge saw him score 22 times in 29 Premier League starts.

12

Luuk de Jong (PSV)

28 goals

Luuk de Jong may be in his mid-30s, but he is still putting away chances for PSV in the Dutch Eredivisie.

He only notched seven league goals prior to the winter break in the Netherlands, but having been the league’s joint-top scorer in 2023/24, it’s no surprise to see him squeeze into this list at the year’s end.

Of his 29 league goals last term for champions PSV, 17 came after the new year, with De Jong grabbing two hat-tricks and four braces.

11

Alex Tamm (Kalju FC)

28 goals

Not many will know much about Alex Tamm, but he has had a wonderful year, producing a string of influential performances for Kalju FC and Estonia.

He has 28 goals in the calendar year at club level, coming in 38 appearances, and considering he is still only 23, it is easy to envisage him being snapped up by a bigger club at some point in the near future.

10

Krzysztof Piatek (Istanbul Basaksehir)

32 goals

Krzysztof Piatek may not be one of the most renowned players on this list, but he has enjoyed a fantastic 12 months for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir.

The 29-year-old has 32 goals to his name in 2024, with 12 strikes already coming his way in the Super Lig this season, not to mention finding the net nine times in the Conference League qualification and league phases combined.

9

Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

32 goals

Vinicius Junior is undoubtedly one of the leading players in world football, and he has enjoyed a superb year, capped by scoring in Real Madrid’s win over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final in May.

The 24-year-old has struck 32 times in total across all competitions, proving to be the most devastating left-sided attacking player on the planet, and there is still so much more to come from him in his career.

8

Jorginho (Differdange 03)

32 goals

Plying his trade at Differdange 03 in Luxembourg, you can be forgiven for not exactly being an expert on their star striker, Jorginho.

His tally of 32 goals in only 35 matches puts him above such world-renowned names 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 isn’t the biggest name around, but the year that he has enjoyed with Greek giants Olympiacos is worthy of great respect.

A total of 34 goals in just 39 outings is an incredible ratio, coming at a strike rate of every 89 minutes, which is superior to anyone else ahead of him on the list.

He scored five times across two legs against Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League and netted the only goal in the final win over Fiorentina, capping a superb 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 being Canada’s talisman at international level.

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

5

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

37 goals

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

The France superstar pips teammate Vinicius in the goalscoring stakes over the past 12 months, finding the net 37 times in total, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him even higher on the list this time next year.

4

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

37 goals

Erling Haaland might not be in his richest vein of form as we approach the new year with Manchester City struggling in the Premier League, but it has been another memorable year for one of the best strikers of his generation.

The colossal Norwegian has 37 goals to his name in 2024, with his performances helping inspire Pep Guardiola’s side to yet another league title. It’s frightening that he’s still only 24, and City need him back to his best to have any chance of a title surge in the league.

3

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

39 goals

Harry Kane may have received some criticism for his performances for England this year as the Three Lions fell just short at Euro 2024, but it’s impossible to argue with his relentless scoring record.

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

2

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

40 goals

Robert Lewandowski’s absolute peak may have passed, but the fact that he is the second-highest goalscorer in Europe in 2024 highlights what an amazing footballer he still is, scoring goals for fun at Barcelona.

The legendary Pole has scored 40 goals in 52 appearances, which is a stunning strike 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 has scored more goals than any other player in 2024 following an incredible period of form for Sporting CP.

The 26-year-old Swede has netted a remarkable 52 times overall – which is 12 more than anyone else in the world’s top-tier divisions, summing up why he is one of the most sought-after footballers in Europe. His tally of 23 goals already this season in the Primeira Liga and Champions League combined is scarcely believable.