Supercomputer predicts Euro Golden Boot winner: Mbappe the top favorite, Ronaldo in contention

The 2024 European Championship is underway, and a supercomputer has made predictions for the Golden Boot award, with Cristiano Ronaldo still among the top three and Kylian Mbappe emerging as the clear favorite.

Many legendary tales have been written on the pitch争夺德劳内杯, and the names of those who have won the European Championship Golden Boot are household names – Ronaldo, Shearer, and Cruyff all dominated their eras. The supercomputer analyzed all players participating in this edition of the Euros using an algorithm to produce a ranking of the favorites for the Golden Boot.

5. Bellingham It might come as a surprise to see Bellingham ranked above strikers like Lewandowski and Giroud as the fifth favorite for the Golden Boot. However, considering his impressive performances at Real Madrid, the trophies he’s won, and his upcoming role as England’s number 10, such doubts might fade.

4. Lukaku Despite occasional criticism from Chelsea fans for his composure in front of goal, the numbers don’t lie. Lukaku has scored over 50 goals in his three seasons at Roma, and when representing his national team, he’s even more lethal, netting 85 goals in 115 matches. If he maintains his Euro qualifying form of 14 goals in 8 games, a Golden Boot bid is not out of reach.

3. Ronaldo The only player on this list to have previously won the Golden Boot, underestimate Ronaldo’s scoring ambition at your peril. At 39, this could be his swansong at the international level, but his competitiveness and will to succeed make it no surprise that he’s third favorite for the prestigious award.

2. Kane Some may find it surprising, but the supercomputer ranks the England captain as the second-hottest favorite for the Golden Boot. Kane has been in scintillating form for Bayern Munich this season, scoring 44 goals in 45 matches in his debut campaign. His efficiency for the national team is also commendable, with 63 goals in 91 appearances. At 30, Kane aims to lead England to glory this year, and winning the Golden Boot would be the ultimate validation.

1. Mbappe The only player capable of dethroning Harry Kane as the top favorite for the Golden Boot is Mbappe. He has proven his ability to shine on big stages, especially in the 2022 World Cup, where he scored 8 goals, including a hat-trick in the final. Mbappe hopes his goals will propel France forward, making up for the heartbreak of losing the title on home soil in 2016.