Who are the all-time top scorers of the European Championships?

With Euro 2024 just around the corner, we thought it would be a nice idea to take a look back at the top performers of championships gone by. Over the years we’ve had plenty of action both on and off the pitch at the continental tournament but, most memorably, we’ve seen some amazing goal-scoring performances from the best of the best.

Here’s a breakdown of the top marksmen ever to hit the back of the net at the Euros.

First up, we’ve got the list, taken from UEFA’s official database, of the top scorers per tournament since its inception in 1960. Named the 1960 European Nations’ Cup, the tournament was held in France and featured just 4 teams: France, USSR, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia.

In a move that would be seen as blasphemy in this day and age, teams such as England, West Germany and Italy all voted against the creation of a continental championship three years earlier, which is why they didn’t participate. As for Spain, another heavyweight, they didn’t travel as they were under a nazi dictatorship and didn’t want to travel to the Soviet Union.

(Curiously, Spain won the next edition of the tournament, held four years later, beating none other than the Soviets in the final)

Anyway, history lesson over. Here’s the list.

European Championships top scorers per tournament:

OK, maybe the history lesson isn’t over: as the reputation of the tournament grew, UEFA decided to gradually increased the number of participants in the first round, which is why we see a slow increase in the number of goals (more games = more goals). UEFA expanded to 8 teams in 1980 but it wasn’t until 1996 when we finally saw a 16-team tournament.

Euro 2016 saw another expansion and we moved up to 24 teams participating in the group stages, with a Round of 16 being introduced ahead of the quarter-finals. This year’s edition sticks with the 24 team system, and includes four of the best 3rd placed teams who make it through to the knockouts.

Who is the all-time top scorer in the Euros?

The tournament will get going at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Friday 14 June: hosts Germany are set to go up against Scotland. The group stage charges on with (almost) non-stop football until 26 June.

Following the group stage is the round of 16 which will be played from 29 June to 2 July. The quarterfinals are set for 5 and 6 July, and the semifinals on 9 and 10 July, one in Munich, the other in Dortmund. The final will be held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion on Sunday 14 July.