There are a litany of complaints about modern football, from its overabundance to the proposed decline in entertainment, but it is undeniable that the sport is still blessed with an array of elite goalscorers.
Sure, there may be a dearth of world-class nines, but tactical evolution means that goal-scoring responsibilities no longer fall solely on the shoulders of the leading man at the top.
“Inside forwards” have been all the rage over the past decade, with inverted posts from wide positions allowing these shooters to occupy preferred scoring areas. As a result, there is a healthy balance between open strikers and flexible strikers who make up the top performers in 2024.
Here are the top 12 goalscorers from Europe's top five leagues.
Games played: 33
Objectives: 19
Minutes per goal: 142
Benjamin Sisco this, Benjamin Sisco, that. Blah blah blah.
Much of the talk about RB Leipzig in 2024 seems to focus on the Slovenian, but the 21-year-old has been outshined by his humble teammate.
After impressing in Ligue 1 with Lens, Obinda has reached greater heights like a fish in water. He is a versatile operator who is adept at leading the line but prefers to drift into wide areas. The Belgian has speed to burn but is also a resourceful, dedicated performer who is great at bringing others into play.
While Cisco scored 17 goals in the German League in 2024, Obinda scored 19 goals.
Games played: 33
Objectives: 19
Minutes per goal: 131
Budimir's struggles have taken him to the German, Italian and Spanish second division, but the Croatian forward has found a long-term home at Osasuna.
The 33-year-old enjoyed a career year in 2023/24 as he scored 17 goals in La Liga for the mid-table side. His strike rate has only improved in 2024/25 – ten goals in 18 matches – as he aims to embark on Olivier Giroud's impressive trajectory.
Games played: 30
Objectives: 19
Minutes per goal: 118
The Brazilian's numbers may not be so Which Impressive considering many thought he was 'stolen' of the 2024 Ballon d'Or. Fini scored 19 goals in 30 La Liga appearances in 2024 and provided big moments during the first half of the year as Real Madrid won the league title once again.
The winger was undoubtedly the best player in the world for a while after returning from a thigh injury in the new year, scoring in crucial victories over Girona and Barcelona.
His goal tally was supplemented by frequent assists and clutch performances UEFA Champions League Knockout stages.
Despite the arrival of a certain Frenchman, Vinny Jr. continued to prove that this still stands for him Real Madrid team.
Games played: 29
Objectives: 19
Minutes per goal: 115
Aha, talk about.
Mbappe dominated the summer headlines by completing his long-awaited move to the Spanish capital, but the French star certainly did not get everything he wanted. Madrid.
Ten goals in 16 La Liga games is a respectable return, but some are predicting Erling Haaland-like numbers for the 2022/23 season in year one. Even the best players have to adapt, and Mbappe had to adapt to working alongside another confident star.
The striker's form at the end of 2024 suggests we are In the big year 2025.
Games played: 31
Objectives: 23
Minutes per goal: 107
Al-Masry is embarking on one of the best Premier League seasons ever.
In the 2024/25 season so far, Salah has scored 30 goal contributions (including 17 goals) in 18 matches for the league leaders. Talk about inescapable force.
It is certain that Liverpool will qualify for second place Premier League title if Salah is able to come close to matching his current production trajectory during the second half of the season, but the winger has slowed down during the final stretch of Jurgen Klopp's reign – mainly due to a nagging muscle injury.
Games played: 33
Objectives: 25
Minutes per goal: 107
Isak's December monster provided fair justification for the reported £150m price tag Newcastle paid for his head. His future is likely to depend on whether the Magpies make a strong return to the Champions League.
Sure enough, the Swede is doing everything he can to get the Toon army back to the promised land.
While a large portion of Isak's 25 Premier League goals in 2024 arrived in December – eight to be precise – the striker has scored consistently all year.
Games played: 32
Objectives: 25
Minutes per goal: 103
The transfer window refuses to go by without David earning several links with a host of clubs. The Canada international has been consistent up front for Lille, and 2024 has been another excellent 12 months for the 24-year-old.
David has continued his 24-goal Ligue 1 campaign in 2022/23 with 19 goals last season, and has started the 2024/25 season with 11 goals in 15. Once again, he is relying on penalties as a reliable source of satisfaction, with the striker already scoring. Six times the place of this term.
Games played: 36
Objectives: 25
Minutes per goal: 85
No player on this list has scored more than Sorloth, who has failed at Crystal Palace once in 2024. The towering 29-year-old has scored a goal every 85 minutes in La Liga, with the bulk of his success coming for Villarreal during the second half. For the year 2023/24.
Sorloth scored a hat-trick against Granada real madrid Before joining Atletico Madrid in the summer.
He is yet to be convinced in the Spanish capital, but the Norwegian hitman still certainly knows where the goal is and his calendar year ended on a high when he scored a last-gasp winner against league leaders Barcelona in Catalunya.
Games played: 36
Objectives: 26
Minutes per goal: 120
Palmer showed his magic during the first half of the 2023/24 season before maintaining that form throughout the calendar year.
The natural playmaker has scored 26 goals in 36 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, constantly dazzling fans with outlandish sequences.
Palmer makes sure to make things happen every time he steps on the field, and he certainly did not disappoint in 2024.
Games played: 35
Objectives: 27
Minutes per goal: 110
Haaland's impressive goal-scoring ability is undeniable, but the Nordic goal machine has undoubtedly benefited from the purring of the juggernaut during his first two years at Manchester City.
The Empire came to a grinding halt at the end of 2024, and as a result, Haaland took a step back. He has looked well set to top this rankings after starting the 2024/25 campaign in model form, but three goals in his last ten league games over the calendar year means he falls behind two of his contemporaries.
Games played: 37
Objectives: 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 star performed at the highest level during the first few months of 2024/25.
There were signs of decline towards the end of Xavi's time at Barcelona, with the Pole's influence on the club legend's side being significant. However, he was initially encouraged by the arrival of Hansi Flick and worked alongside Rafinha as a false attacking force.
He started the season with 14 goals in as many matches, but has scored three goals in his last seven. Let's hope he had a good winter.
Games played: 30
Objectives: 29
Minutes per goal: 89
Bayer Leverkusen's historic campaign meant no silverware for Kane again in 2024 following his move to Bayern Munich, but the striker has continued to do what he does best.
The Englishman scored a goal almost every 90 minutes in the Bundesliga, finishing his first season in Germany with the domestic Golden Shoe, the European Golden Shoe and the Gerd Müller Trophy.
Do you think he would trade it all for the German Super Cup?
In any case, Kane, who has scored 14 league goals in 14 games so far this season, looks set to finally end his Bundesliga title drought with Bayern at the top.
