Players with the Most Premier League Golden Boot Awards: The Premier League Golden Boot is an annual award given to the top goalscorer in the Premier League, the highest level of professional football in England. The name of the award has changed over the years due to sponsorship arrangements. From year 1994 to 2001, it was known as the Carling Golden Boot. From 2002 to 2004, it was named the Barclaycard Golden Boot. From 2005 to 2016, it was called the Barclays Golden Boot. From 2017 to 2020, it was referred to as the Cadbury Golden Boot. Since 2021, it has been known as the Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Golden Boot.
When someone wins the Golden Boot trophy, they usually get £1,000 for each goal they scored during the season. They can then choose a charity to donate this money to. However, in the 2012-2013 season, Robin van Persie received £30,000 because he scored 26 goals.
The Premier League was established in 1992 when First Division clubs broke away from the Football League to form their own independent league. The league negotiated its own broadcasting and sponsorship deals. In its inaugural season, the league did not have a sponsor, but Carling agreed to a four-year, £12m deal starting from the following season. The league was initially known simply as the Premier League. The award for the top goalscorer was named the “Premier League Golden Boot” when Teddy Sheringham received it in 1993. The league started with 22 teams but contracted to 20 teams after the 1994-1995 season, reducing the number of games played from 42 to 38.
Players with the Most Premier League Golden Boot Awards
Scoring a significant number of goals in a single Premier League season is a remarkable achievement for professional soccer players. Since the league was rebranded in 1992 and underwent a reduction in the number of teams in 1995, it has become increasingly challenging to achieve high goal tallies.
Modern-day soccer clubs have players who are more physically fit, and there is a greater emphasis on tactics and team strategies. This evolution has made it more difficult for individual players to score a large number of goals in a single season.
Hence, winning the Premier League Golden Boot award at the end of the season is a momentous occasion for any player. It recognizes their exceptional goal-scoring prowess and distinguishes them as the top goal-scorer in the league for that season.
The Premier League Golden Boot Award has witnessed exceptional goal-scoring talents since its establishment in 1992. Here is a comprehensive list of the eight players who have won the award the most times, showcasing their remarkable achievements:
8. Didier Drogba
- Country: Ivory Coast
- Seasons: 2006–07, 2009–10
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2
Didier Drogba received the Premier League Golden Boot award two times. He won it in 2007 and again in 2010. Drogba got his first Golden Boot in the 2006-2007 season by scoring 20 goals in 36 games.
His second Golden Boot came in the 2009-2010 season. During that time, he scored an impressive 29 goals in 32 matches.
7. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
- Country: Netherlands
- Seasons: 1998–99, 2000–01
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink won the Premier League Golden Boot award two times. He first won it in the 1998-99 season while playing for Leeds United, where he scored 18 goals in 36 matches. He shared the award with Dwight Yorke, who also scored 18 goals that season.
Hasselbaink won the Golden Boot again in the 2000-01 season while playing for Chelsea. In that season, he scored 23 goals in 35 matches.
6. Michael Owen
- Country: England
- Seasons: 1997–98, 1998–99
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2
Michael Owen won the Premier League Golden Boot award two times. He first won it in the 1997-98 season while playing for Liverpool, where he scored 18 goals in 36 matches. He shared the award with Dion Dublin and Chris Sutton.
Owen won the Golden Boot again in the 1998-99 season while playing for Liverpool. In that season, he scored 18 goals in 30 matches. He shared the award with Dwight Yorke and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who also scored 18 goals.
5. Robin Van Persie
- Country: Netherlands
- Seasons: 2011–12, 2012–13
- Premier League Golden Boot: 2
Robin van Persie won the Premier League Golden Boot award two times, in 2011-12 and 2012-13. He is among a select group of eight players who have won the award multiple times in the Premier League era.
Van Persie’s first Golden Boot was earned in the 2011-12 season while playing for Arsenal. He scored an impressive 30 goals in 38 matches.
His second Golden Boot came in the 2012-13 season, this time as a player for Manchester United. In that season, he scored 26 goals in 30 matches.
4. Alan Shearer
- Country: England
- Seasons: 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97
- Premier League Golden Boot: 3
Alan Shearer, the all-time leading goalscorer in Premier League history, undoubtedly deserves his place among the top 8 players with the most Golden Boots in the Premier League.
He is widely regarded as one of the most prolific goal-scorers in British football history and is a true legend of Newcastle United. Shearer held the record for the most hat-tricks in Premier League history until it was recently surpassed by another iconic Premier League figure, Sergio Kun Aguero.
Shearer revolutionized the forward position in English top-flight football, leaving an indelible mark on the game. Currently, he shares his expert opinions on the Premier League and is a respected figure in football circles. With his record as the all-time leading scorer in the Premier League, his achievements speak for themselves.
Watching Shearer in action, donning Newcastle United’s famous black and white shirt, was an absolute delight. Whenever the conversation turns to the greatest strikers in Premier League history, Shearer is always the center of attention, rightfully earning his place among the league’s legends.
3. Mohammed Salah
- Country: Egypt
- Seasons: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22
- Premier League Golden Boot: 3
Mohamed Salah, known as the Egyptian King, has already secured the prestigious Golden Boot award three times in a remarkably short span during his illustrious career. His journey from being relatively unknown at Chelsea to becoming a legend at Liverpool FC is truly remarkable.
In all honesty, Salah is undeniably one of the top three best players in the world at present. He showcased his immense value right from his debut season in the English Premier League. His contribution played a pivotal role in securing two legendary trophies for Liverpool FC.
These trophies include the English Premier League title, ending the club’s 30-year wait for it, and the UEFA Champions League, which had eluded them for almost 15 years. It is these accomplishments that swiftly earned Salah a place among the best players in Liverpool FC’s history.
2. Harry Kane
- Country: England
- Seasons: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21
- Premier League Golden Boot: 3
Harry Kane has emerged as a modern legend in English football. His name perfectly aligns with his style of play, as he showcases intelligence and accuracy on the field. Kane possesses remarkable shooting abilities with both feet, displaying brilliance in his execution.
He excels not only at the club level with Tottenham Hotspur but also represents England on the international stage. With three Premier League Golden Boot awards already to his name, Kane has established himself as a formidable force in the league. In fact, his team is often referred to as “The Harry Kane Team” due to his significant influence.
Having achieved this feat three times within a relatively short period, Kane has a realistic chance of surpassing the record for the most Golden Boot wins in the history of the English Premier League. It is an impressive accomplishment that he is not too far from accomplishing.
1 . Thierry Henry
- Country: France
- Seasons: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
- Premier League Golden Boot: 4
There was never any doubt about Thierry Henry’s status as the top player with the most Golden Boots in the Premier League. The French icon, renowned for his time with the classic Arsenal squad, holds this prestigious record. As the legendary No. 14, Henry was a prolific goalscorer throughout his career and a true spectacle to watch.
Henry’s impact on modern Arsenal football was immense, as he played a crucial role in bringing the tactics of the iconic Arsene Wenger to life. While he holds the record for the most Golden Boots in Premier League history, it’s important to note that his legacy goes beyond being a goalscorer.
Henry was a game-changer and stood out among other strikers of his generation. His remarkable career with the Gunners speaks for itself and solidifies his legendary status.
