FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Winners: Top Scorers
Last Updated on: 21st September 2025, 08:27 pm
The FIFA World Cup Golden Boot, also known as the Golden Shoe, is one of the most prestigious awards in soccer. It is given to the top goal scorer of the tournament, celebrating players who deliver unforgettable moments with their goals. Since its introduction in 1982, the Golden Boot has highlighted some of the greatest names in football history.
From Paolo Rossi and Ronaldo to Thomas Müller, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé, this award has honored the strikers who made the biggest impact on the world stage. In this article, we explore famous Golden Boot winners and their achievements.
What is the Golden Boot Award in Soccer?
The Golden Boot Award is given to the top goal scorer of the FIFA World Cup. First introduced in 1982 as the Golden Shoe, it has been officially called the Golden Boot since 2010. The award usually goes to attacking players, as they are the ones responsible for scoring goals and leading their teams to victory. Winning the Golden Boot is one of the highest individual honors in soccer, marking a player as the most dangerous striker of the tournament.
FIFA World Cup Golden Boot Winners: Complete List of Top Scorers (1930–2022)
| World Cup | Winner(s) | Goals Scored |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 (Uruguay) | Guillermo Stábile | 8 |
| 1934 (Italy) | Oldřich Nejedlý | 5 |
| 1938 (France) | Leônidas | 7 |
| 1950 (Brazil) | Ademir | 9 |
| 1954 (Switzerland) | Sándor Kocsis | 11 |
| 1958 (Sweden) | Just Fontaine | 13 |
| 1962 (Chile) | Flórián Albert; Garrincha; Vavá; Leonel Sánchez; Dražan Jerković; Valentin Ivanov | 4 each (shared among six players) |
| 1966 (England) | Eusébio | 9 |
| 1970 (Mexico) | Gerd Müller | 10 |
| 1974 (West Germany) | Grzegorz Lato | 7 |
| 1978 (Argentina) | Mario Kempes | 6 |
| 1982 (Spain) | Paolo Rossi | 6 |
| 1986 (Mexico) | Gary Lineker | 6 |
| 1990 (Italy) | Salvatore Schillaci | 6 |
| 1994 (USA) | Oleg Salenko & Hristo Stoichkov | 6 each |
| 1998 (France) | Davor Šuker | 6 |
| 2002 (South Korea/Japan) | Ronaldo | 8 |
| 2006 (Germany) | Miroslav Klose | 5 |
| 2010 (South Africa) | Thomas Müller | 5 |
| 2014 (Brazil) | James Rodríguez | 6 |
| 2018 (Russia) | Harry Kane | 6 |
| 2022 (Qatar) | Kylian Mbappé | 8 |
World Cup Top Scorers Through History
The first-ever World Cup top scorer was Guillermo Stábile of Argentina in 1930. He scored 8 goals in the inaugural tournament, guiding his team all the way to the final before losing to hosts Uruguay.
In 1958, French striker Just Fontaine set a record that still stands today. He netted 13 goals in a single World Cup, an achievement unmatched in soccer history, even though France finished only third behind Brazil.
A decade later, at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, German legend Gerd Müller scored 10 goals for West Germany. His sharp finishing helped his team reach the semi-finals, but they fell short against Italy in the famous “Game of the Century.”
Fast forward to 1986, and Gary Lineker emerged as England’s hero in Mexico, scoring 6 goals to win the Golden Boot. Despite his brilliant performance, England were eliminated by Argentina in the quarter-finals.
In 2002, Brazilian superstar Ronaldo made a historic comeback. After struggling with injuries, he scored 8 goals in South Korea and Japan, leading Brazil to their fifth World Cup title and reclaiming his place among the greatest forwards of all time.
FAQs:
Who Has More European Golden Boots: Messi or Ronaldo?
When it comes to the European Golden Shoe (Golden Boot), Lionel Messi is the all-time leader. The Argentine superstar has won the award six times, more than any other player in history. His rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, has lifted the trophy four times, placing him second on the list.
Who Holds the Record for the Most European Golden Boots?
The record belongs to Lionel Messi, who claimed six European Golden Boots during his time with FC Barcelona. No other player has reached that number, making him the undisputed record-holder.
Has Cristiano Ronaldo Won a Golden Boot?
Yes. Cristiano Ronaldo has won the European Golden Shoe four times, proving his consistency as one of the greatest goal scorers in football history. His victories span his career in both the Premier League and La Liga.
How Many Premier League Golden Boots Has Mohamed Salah Won?
Mohamed Salah has collected the Premier League Golden Boot four times, putting him alongside legends like Thierry Henry at the very top of England’s scoring charts. His ability to remain among the league’s best scorers season after season highlights his remarkable consistency.
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