This summer, the UEFA European Championships returns, and there is plenty to look forward to as the competition gets underway. Just as they did during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Germany will be hosting and they will be hoping that playing in front of their own fans transforms their fortunes just as it did 18 years ago. Die Mannschaft is coming off the back of two consecutive group stage exits on the global stage, as well as a disappointing Round of 16 stage exit at Euro 2020 at the hands of eventual finalists England.
This year, oddschecker, which compares odds and bonus bets from top bookmakers , such as deposit bonuses for new customers, has made the hosts the third favourite for glory. The outright favourites tag goes to the Three Lions, closely followed by their conquerors in Qatar, France. The two frontrunners are both led by talismanic marksmen in the form of Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe, both of whom will be gunning for the Golden Boot award this summer.
But who has won the coveted award at the last three tournaments? Let's find out.
Euro 2020 - Cristiano Ronaldo
Due to global events, Euro 2020 was postponed for a year before being held in 11 different cities across Europe. The tournament was full of surprises and upsets, but two players stood out among all others in the goalscoring charts - Cristiano Ronaldo and Patrik Schick.
The Portuguese superstar scored five goals in just four games and helped his team reach the round of 16 where they were defeated by Belgium. Schick, meanwhile, helped the Czech Republic to a shock victory against the Netherlands en route to the quarterfinals. But it was the great CR7 who won the Golden Boot award as a result of having more assists than the Bayer Leverkusen man.
Euro 2016 - Antoine Griezmann
The Euro 2016 took place in France and saw some amazing performances from players like Gareth Bale, Dimitri Payet, and Paul Pogba. However, it was Antoine Griezmann who stole the show with his six goals throughout the tournament. The French striker scored in their group-stage match against Albania and went on to score two more in their last-16 win over the Republic of Ireland. Further goals would follow against Iceland as well as a brace against Germany in the semifinals.
That was enough to secure Atletico Madrid's all-time top scorer the Golden Boot award, but he would have surely swapped that for victory in the tournament itself, with Les Bleus losing the Stade De France showpiece against Portugal.
Euro 2012 - Fernando Torres
Euro 2012 took place in Poland and Ukraine. It featured Spain's third consecutive victory in a major tournament, as they dismantled Italy 4-0 in the Kyiv-hosted showpiece. However, it was Fernando Torres who emerged as a surprise winner of the Golden Boot award just one month removed from winning the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea.
The Spanish striker scored three goals throughout the tournament, including one in their final win over the Azzurri. Torres was tied on three goals with five other players, but he secured the Golden Boot thanks to his last-gasp assist to Juan Mata in their final victory against the Italians.
