What do Alan Shearer, Milan Baroš and David Villa have in common? All three have finished as leading goalscorer at the European Championships. With the opening game of Euro 2016 fast approaching, we take a look at the standout candidates for the Golden Boot and what footwear they are likely to be donning. Expect analysis of the usual suspects as well a wildcard whose nation could surprise us in France this summer
Harry Kane
Euro 2016 Boots: Nike Hypervenom Phinish.
The Tottenham academy graduate proved he was no one-season wonder by winning the Premier League Golden Boot as Spurs came as close as they ever have been to being crowned title winners since the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93.
Kane’s 25 goals followed on from the 21 he amassed the previous campaign and England will be reliant on the 22-year-old whose clinical finishing has seen him emerge as their number one striker. Kane’s lethal partnership with Dele Alli gives the Three Lions an exciting proposition in attack, but will it be enough to fire England to a first ever European crown?
England’s first game sees them take on Russia, make sure you check out thatsagoal England vs Russia betting preview.
Robert Lewandowski
Euro 2016 Boots: Nike Hypervenom Phantom II.
The Pole is one of the most formidable strikers in world football. Became the first player to score 30 goals in the Bundesliga since the 1976/77 season to help lead Bayern Munich to a second two-trophy haul in three years and secured him the Torjägerkanone for the second time.
Has scored 34 times in 74 appearances for his country and on his day is simply unplayable, as evidenced by his record-breaking performance last September when he scored five goals against Wolfsburg in nine minutes.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Euro 2016 Boots: Next-Gen Nike Mercurial Superfly.
The Portuguese superstar has already cemented his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but winning a major tournament with his country would add weight to his corner in the great Messi v Ronaldo debate.
Coolly converted the winning penalty in Saturday’s Champions League final and has scored 50-plus goals in his last six consecutive seasons – a modern day phenomenon.
Antoine Griezmann
Euro 2016 Boots: Puma Evospeed 1.5 Tricks.
The host nation will be praying that the 25-year-old quickly recovers from the agony of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League final loss in Milan where Griezmann missed from the spot in normal time. Netted 32 times last season for Diego Simeone’s side and has a fantastic work ethic to go alongside his elegance and technical ability.
If Griezmann can take his La Liga form into the Euros, then France could become the first host country to win this tournament since Les Bleus defeated Spain in 1984.
Thomas Muller
Euro 2016 Boots: Adidas X 16+ PureChaos.
Muller came to prominence at the 2010 World Cup when he was awarded the Golden Boot and Best Young Player awards for his contribution of five goals and three assists. The 26-year-old always seems to perform at his very best on the big stage and has a tremendous instinct in front of goal – he also netted five times in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph and with Miroslav Klose now retired, Muller will be the focal point of Germany’s attack.
Finished the campaign with 20 goals from just 31 appearances for Bayern Munich and scored nine goals as Germany topped their qualifying group.
Gareth Bale
Euro 2016 Boots: Adidas X 16+ PureChaos.
The Real Madrid star is very much a dark horse for the Golden Boot. Bale has established himself as one of the most feared footballers on the planet thanks to his blistering pace and exceptional left foot. Is often overshadowed at the Bernabeu by the unstoppable Ronaldo, but at international level the 26-year-old is a different dragon altogether.
Wales have a unity and spirit similar to that of Leicester City, but will ultimately be dependent on the game-changing talent of Bale whose seven crucial strikes in qualifying send his nation to a first major tournament since 1958.
