From Gyökeres to Dolberg: Here are the eleven best goal-scoring machines in Europe

The international break is often met with mixed feelings by football fans. While national team competitions like the Nations League provide exciting matchups, they also mean a temporary halt to domestic leagues.

For the third time this season, the European leagues are on pause, interrupting the impressive goal-scoring form of several top strikers. Players who have been on a remarkable run now face the challenge of maintaining their rhythm after a brief hiatus. Among them, Viktor Gyökeres has been a standout, but he’s far from the only one making headlines this season.

Viktor Gyökeres, the Swedish sensation at Sporting Portugal, has been in scintillating form. With 23 goals in all competitions, he leads the goal-scoring charts across Europe. Gyökeres’s consistent scoring has made him the focal point of Sporting's attack, demonstrating a killer instinct in front of goal. His tally outpaces even the most prolific strikers of the past decade, including Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland, who have built their reputations on scoring at will. Despite their illustrious careers and regular appearances among Europe’s elite, they are currently unable to match Gyökeres’s explosive start to the season.

Lewandowski, a legend at Barcelona and one of the most reliable goal scorers in recent history, has netted 19 goals in 17 matches. He continues to be a key figure in Barcelona’s attack, using his experience and positioning to find the back of the net. Harry Kane, now adapting to life in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, has not missed a beat since his move from Tottenham. He has scored 17 goals in 16 appearances, proving that his scoring prowess travels well across leagues. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who shattered records last season, has 15 goals in 16 matches a slightly slower pace than expected but still among the best in Europe.

A surprising inclusion in the top goal scorers is Kasper Dolberg. The Danish forward, once a rising star at Ajax, had struggled to fulfill his potential in recent years. However, his move to Anderlecht appears to have reignited his form. Dolberg has scored 12 goals this season, making him the top scorer in Belgium and a crucial player for his club. His resurgence has been one of the feel-good stories of the season, highlighting his ability to bounce back and make an impact at the highest level.

Turning to the Eredivisie, the first player from the Dutch league to make the list is FC Twente’s Sem Steijn. An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal, Steijn has scored eight times, making him the current top scorer in the Netherlands. His contributions have been vital for Twente’s campaign, showcasing his knack for arriving in the box at the right moment. Despite his impressive tally, Steijn ranks only 39th in Europe, illustrating the fierce competition among the continent’s top strikers. Interestingly, the highest-ranked Dutch player is not from the Eredivisie but from Belgium’s Pro League: Tjaronn Chery. The experienced 36-year-old has scored nine goals for FC Antwerp, proving that age is just a number when it comes to goal-scoring prowess.

This season’s top scorers reflect a mix of established stars and unexpected names, indicating the diversity of talent across European leagues. Players like Omar Marmoush, who has found his form at Eintracht Frankfurt, and Jonathan David, consistently delivering for Lille, are making their mark as well. Marmoush’s 14 goals in 16 matches have been pivotal for Frankfurt’s success, while David’s 13 goals in 19 matches highlight his reliability as Lille’s main attacking threat.

Barcelona’s Raphinha and Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior are also among the top goal scorers, both netting 12 goals so far. Their performances have been instrumental in maintaining the dominance of Spain’s biggest clubs, adding flair and creativity to their respective teams. In the Czech league, Ewerton of Banik Ostrava has emerged as a surprise star, scoring 12 goals and making a name for himself in a less prominent league. Meanwhile, Dion Beljo of Rapid Vienna has impressed in Austria, matching the 12-goal tally despite playing 24 matches, demonstrating his persistence and ability to score consistently over a long season.

Finally, the top eleven goal scorers in Europe this season illustrate the wide variety of leagues and playing styles represented. The list features players from Portugal, Spain, Germany, France, England, Belgium, and even the Czech and Austrian leagues, showcasing the depth of talent across the continent. While established names like Lewandowski, Kane, and Haaland continue to dominate, new faces like Gyökeres are shaking up the hierarchy, challenging the old guard, and making a case for themselves as the next big stars in European football.

The eleven top scorers in Europe this season are as follows:

Viktor Gyökeres - Sporting Portugal (POR) - 17 matches - 23 goals
Robert Lewandowski - Barcelona (SPA) - 17 matches - 19 goals
Harry Kane - Bayern Munich (GER) - 16 matches - 17 goals
Erling Haaland - Manchester City (ENG) - 16 matches - 15 goals
Omar Marmoush - Eintracht Frankfurt (GER) - 16 matches - 14 goals
Jonathan David - Lille (FRA) - 19 matches - 13 goals
Raphinha - Barcelona (SPA) - 17 matches - 12 goals
Vinícius Júnior - Real Madrid (SPA) - 17 matches - 12 goals
Ewerton - Banik Ostrava (CZE) - 19 matches - 12 goals
Dion Beljo - Rapid Vienna (AUT) - 24 matches - 12 goals
Kasper Dolberg - Anderlecht (BEL) - 20 matches - 12 goals

As the season progresses, these players will aim to maintain their scoring streaks, despite the disruptions of international breaks and the physical demands of the packed schedule. Whether established superstars or emerging talents, they are all proving their worth as Europe’s top goal scorers, delivering the kind of performances that can define a season. Football fans will be watching closely to see who can sustain their form and claim the title of Europe’s top scorer by the end of the campaign.