The Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the most goals in the tournament. If there are multiple players with the same number of goals, the tie is usually broken by assists – as was the case at Euro 2020, where Cristiano Ronaldo (five goals, one assist) edged out Czech striker Patrik Schick (five goals, no assists).
This time, however, Uefa have changed the rules so there are no tie-breakers – meaning that six players will share the award. Dani Olmo (Spain), Jamal Musiala (Germany), Harry Kane (England), Cody Gakpo (Netherlands), Georges Mikautadze (Georgia) and Ivan Schranz (Slovakia).
Under the old rules, Olmo would have won the prize due to his two assists in the tournament. Own goals do not count, and nor do penalties scored in shootouts – but penalties in normal or extra time do. Three of Ronaldo’s five goals at Euro 2020 came from the penalty spot, and all his goals were scored in the group stage.
The European Championship has recognised individual top scorers since the first edition in 1960, where five players shared first place. Michel Platini’s nine goals in 1984 is the highest total, with another Frenchman, Antoine Griezmann, in second thanks to his six-goal tally at Euro 2016.
The winners do not receive a traditional golden boot trophy – instead, they will each receive an Alipay Top Scorer prize. “Sculpted in the shape of the Chinese character 支 (zhi), the barefoot player reflects the ideal that success comes regardless of status,” according to Uefa.