Introduction
When it comes to football glory in England, nothing captures the imagination like the Premier League Golden Boot winners list. Each season, this prestigious award crowns the league’s top scorer, showcasing the best strikers who lit up stadiums with unforgettable goals. From legends like Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer to modern-day icons such as Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane, the Golden Boot reflects not just talent but also consistency at the highest level.
In this article, we’ll walk through the complete list of Golden Boot winners, examine their goal-scoring records, and highlight the greatest strikers who left their mark on Premier League history.
What is the Premier League Golden Boot?
The Premier League Golden Boot is an annual award presented to the player who scores the most goals in a season. It is sponsored by Castrol (previously Barclays, Carling, and Cadbury) and remains one of the most prestigious honors for a striker.
- First introduced in the 1992–93 season when the Premier League was founded.
- Shared in cases of a tie (e.g., 2018–19 when Salah, Mané, and Aubameyang all won).
- Recognized globally as a measure of a striker’s dominance.
This award doesn’t just honor scoring ability—it reflects the player’s influence in shaping matches and defining entire seasons.
Complete List of Premier League Golden Boot Winners
Here’s a comprehensive year-by-year breakdown of the winners and their goal tallies.
1990s Golden Boot Winners
- 1992–93 – Teddy Sheringham (Nottingham Forest / Tottenham Hotspur) – 22 goals
- 1993–94 – Andy Cole (Newcastle United) – 34 goals
- 1994–95 – Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers) – 34 goals
- 1995–96 – Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers) – 31 goals
- 1996–97 – Alan Shearer (Newcastle United) – 25 goals
- 1997–98 – Dion Dublin (Coventry), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Chris Sutton (Blackburn) – 18 goals each
- 1998–99 – Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Leeds), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Dwight Yorke (Man Utd) – 18 goals
- 1999–2000 – Kevin Phillips (Sunderland) – 30 goals
Fun Fact: Kevin Phillips remains the only Englishman to score 30+ goals in a Premier League season without playing for a “Big Six” club.
Premier League Biggest Wins and Record-Breaking Matches
2000s Golden Boot Winners
- 2000–01 – Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Chelsea) – 23 goals
- 2001–02 – Thierry Henry (Arsenal) – 24 goals
- 2002–03 – Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 25 goals
- 2003–04 – Thierry Henry (Arsenal) – 30 goals
- 2004–05 – Thierry Henry (Arsenal) – 25 goals
- 2005–06 – Thierry Henry (Arsenal) – 27 goals
- 2006–07 – Didier Drogba (Chelsea) – 20 goals
- 2007–08 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) – 31 goals
- 2008–09 – Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) – 19 goals
- 2009–10 – Didier Drogba (Chelsea) – 29 goals
Highlight: Thierry Henry holds the record for most Golden Boots (4), showcasing his dominance in the early 2000s.
2010s Golden Boot Winners
- 2010–11 – Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd), Carlos Tevez (Man City) – 20 goals
- 2011–12 – Robin van Persie (Arsenal) – 30 goals
- 2012–13 – Robin van Persie (Man Utd) – 26 goals
- 2013–14 – Luis Suárez (Liverpool) – 31 goals
- 2014–15 – Sergio Agüero (Man City) – 26 goals
- 2015–16 – Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 25 goals
- 2016–17 – Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 29 goals
- 2017–18 – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – 32 goals
- 2018–19 – Salah (Liverpool), Mané (Liverpool), Aubameyang (Arsenal) – 22 goals
- 2019–20 – Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) – 23 goals
2020s Golden Boot Winners
- 2020–21 – Harry Kane (Tottenham) – 23 goals
- 2021–22 – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Son Heung-min (Tottenham) – 23 goals
- 2022–23 – Erling Haaland (Man City) – 36 goals (record)
- 2023–24 – Erling Haaland (Man City) – 27 goals
Record Alert: Erling Haaland’s 36 goals in 2022–23 set a new single-season Premier League record, breaking Andy Cole and Alan Shearer’s long-standing tally of 34.
Best Premier League Strikers Who Dominated the Golden Boot
Alan Shearer – The Goal Machine
- 3-time Golden Boot winner
- All-time Premier League top scorer with 260 goals
- Legendary status at Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United
Premier League Biggest Wins and Record-Breaking Matches
Thierry Henry – The King of Highbury
- Record 4 Golden Boots
- Revolutionized the striker role with flair and creativity
- Integral to Arsenal’s Invincibles season in 2003–04
Cristiano Ronaldo – The Global Icon
- Won the Golden Boot in 2007–08 with 31 goals
- Later went on to become one of the greatest players in world football
Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian King
- 3-time winner (2018, 2019, 2022)
- Holds record for most goals in a 38-game season (32) before Haaland broke it
- Consistently among the league’s top scorers
Harry Kane – Mr. Consistency
- 3 Golden Boots (2016, 2017, 2021)
- On track to potentially break Alan Shearer’s record if his career continues at current pace
Interesting Golden Boot Records
- Most Golden Boots: Thierry Henry (4)
- Youngest Winner: Michael Owen (18 years old in 1997–98)
- Oldest Winner: Jamie Vardy (33 years in 2019–20)
- Most Goals in a Season: Erling Haaland (36 in 2022–23)
- Most Consecutive Golden Boots: Henry (2003–2006, three in a row)
Why the Golden Boot Matters
The Golden Boot isn’t just a statistic—it symbolizes a striker’s impact on their team and the league. Winning it often boosts a player’s reputation, transfers, and even Ballon d’Or chances. Fans worldwide follow the race closely each season, making it one of football’s most talked-about honors.
FAQs about Premier League Golden Boot Winners
1. Who has won the most Premier League Golden Boots?
Thierry Henry holds the record with 4 Golden Boot awards, achieved between 2002 and 2006.
2. Who scored the most goals in a single Premier League season?
Erling Haaland holds the record with 36 goals in the 2022–23 season.
3. How many players have shared the Golden Boot in a season?
The award has been shared five times, most recently in 2021–22 (Salah & Son).
Conclusion: The Legacy of Premier League Golden Boot Winners
The Premier League Golden Boot winners list reads like a hall of fame of the greatest strikers in football history. From Alan Shearer’s unmatched consistency to Thierry Henry’s brilliance, Cristiano Ronaldo’s rise, and Haaland’s record-breaking dominance, the award reflects the evolution of striking excellence.
As each season unfolds, fans eagerly watch the Golden Boot race—because behind every goal is a story, and behind every winner is a legacy that inspires generations.