The UEFA Europa League has witnessed some of the most prolific goal-scorers in the history of European football. As the second-tier continental competition, it has provided a platform for both emerging talents and seasoned veterans to showcase their scoring prowess.
The UEFA Europa League, Europe’s second-tier club competition, has once again captured the hearts of football enthusiasts worldwide as it embarks on another thrilling journey.
The 2023-2024 season promises to be an electrifying spectacle, with a remarkable blend of emerging talents and established giants set to light up the stage. Among the headline acts this year, we find some of the footballing world’s most illustrious names, including the likes of Liverpool and Marseille.
In this article we will take a look at the top goals scorers in UEFA Europa League 2023/24.
Liverpool, a club synonymous with European success, returns to the Europa League fray, adding a touch of Premier League prestige to the tournament. Armed with their rich history and a passionate fanbase, the Reds are eager to make their mark on the competition. Will they find their way back to European glory through this route?
Marseille, too, has its sights set on Europa League triumph. The French powerhouse boasts an impressive record in European competitions and enters the tournament with formidable intent. The Stade Vélodrome faithful will be fervently cheering their team, hoping to witness their heroes ascend to new heights.
With the stage set and anticipation building, let’s delve into the statistics, stories, and showdowns that promise to make the UEFA Europa League an exhilarating spectacle in the coming months. Brace yourselves for a rollercoaster ride of footballing drama and dreams!
With that being said, let’s take a look at the top scorers of the tournament this season
UEFA Europa League Top Goals Scorers 2023/24
2 Amine Adli (Leverkusen)
2 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille)
2 Victor Boniface (Leverkusen)
2 Carlos Borges (Ajax)
2 Darwin Núñez (Liverpool)
2 Ayoub El Kaabi (Olympiacos)
2 Amine Harit (Marseille)
2 João Pedro (Brighton)
2 Ladislav Krejčí (Sparta Praha)
2 James Ward-Prowse (West Ham)
2 Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen)
UEFA Europa League Top Goals Scorers 2023/24 Overview
It is interesting to see that the opening matchdayof UEFA Europa League has had quite a blast. A total of 4 players were able to score a brace in the first game itself.
This includes the likes of some big names in the form of Aubameyang, Nunez, Joao Pedro, Ward-Prowse, and Carlos Borges. All these players have the potential to go on and become the most goal scorer in the season.
Hence it will be interesting to see who will emerge as the UEFA Europa League Top Goals Scorers 2023/24.
All Time Most Goals in UEFA Europa League
In this article, we will delve into the careers and achievements of the top 5 all-time leading goal-scorers in the Europa League. From legends of the game to rising stars, these players have left an unforgettable mark by showcasing their brilliance, resilience, and impact on the beautiful game and this competition.
| # | Player | Seasons | App | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henrik Larsson Centre-Forward | 9 | 45 | 31 |
| 2 | Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Centre-Forward | 9 | 50 | 30 |
| 3 | Radamel Falcao Centre-Forward | 3 | 31 | 30 |
| 4 | Dieter Müller Centre-Forward | 7 | 37 | 30 |
| 5 | Aritz Aduriz Centre-Forward | 6 | 39 | 26 |
| 6 | Edin Dzeko Centre-Forward | 8 | 48 | 25 |
| 7 | Shota Arveladze Centre-Forward | 9 | 41 | 25 |
| 8 | Alessandro Altobelli Centre-Forward | 9 | 58 | 25 |
| 9 | Munas Dabbur Centre-Forward | 7 | 49 | 24 |
| 10 | Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Centre-Forward | 6 | 49 | 24 |
5. Artiz Aduriz – 26 Goals
Aduriz’s career was defined by his loyalty to Athletic Bilbao. He spent most of his professional years at the club, and his contributions in the Europa League were remarkable. His tally of 26 goals showcased his ability to perform on the grandest stage.
One of the standout moments of Aduriz’s Europa League career was his stunning bicycle kick against Manchester United in the 2011-12 season. The audacity and skill required to execute such a goal on a stage like Old Trafford showcased his exceptional talent.
Apart from his goal-scoring exploits, Aduriz was known for his physicality, work rate, and ability to lead the line effectively. He was a complete striker, capable of scoring in a variety of ways. Aduriz’s legacy in the Europa League is a result to his dedication and skill. He remains one of the competition’s most beloved figures and an icon at Athletic Bilbao.
Aduriz was a late bloomer, not reaching his full potential until his early 30s. He spent the early part of his career playing in the lower leagues of Spanish football. However, he eventually made his breakthrough to the top flight in 2008, when he joined Valencia CF.
Aduriz spent three seasons at Valencia, scoring 37 goals in 114 appearances. He then joined Athletic Bilbao in 2012, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career.
In the 2015-16 Europa League, Aduriz was simply unstoppable. He scored goals in all but two of Athletic Bilbao’s matches in the competition, including braces in the round of 32 against Lokomotiv Moscow and the quarter-finals against Sevilla.
Aduriz’s performance in the 2015-16 Europa League was a remarkable achievement for a player who was 35 years old at the time. He became the oldest player to ever finish as the top scorer in a major European competition.
4. Dieter Muller – 30 Goals
Muller’s incredible feat came during the 1976-77 season when he was playing for FC Koln. In a single match against Winterslag, he scored an astonishing six goals, a record that still stands in the history of European club competitions. His clinical finishing and ability to create opportunities for himself and his teammates set him apart.
His natural talent, agility, and ability to find space in the box made him a constant threat to opposing defences. Muller was versatile in his attacking role, comfortable playing as a central striker or in a more withdrawn forward role. This adaptability made him a valuable asset to his teams. His ability to change direction quickly made him a tricky player for defenders to mark.
3. Radamel Falcao – 30 Goals
Falcao’s journey in the competition began with FC Porto, where he spearheaded their triumphant 2010-11 campaign. Falcao’s performance that season was nothing short of legendary, as he netted an astonishing 17 goals in the tournament, propelling Porto to glory and earning him the nickname “El Tigre” for his predatory instincts in front of goal.
Falcao’s ability to read the game, find pockets of space, and finish with clinical precision set him apart. His poacher mentality made him a nightmare for defenders, and he continued to impress in the competition during his spells with Atletico Madrid and AS Monaco.
While Falcao’s club career saw him in various jerseys, his impact on the Europa League remains unparalleled. His ability to score in crucial moments and carry his teams to victory cements his status as a true Europa League legend. Though injuries hindered his progress at times, Falcao remains a Europa League icon, scoring a total of 30 goals throughout his illustrious career in the tournament.
Falcao’s first Europa League success came in the 2010-11 season with Porto. He scored 17 goals in the tournament, including a hat-trick in the quarter-finals against Spartak Moscow and a brace in the semi-finals against Villarreal. He also scored the winning goal in the final against Braga. His second title came in the 2011-12 season with Atlético de Madrid. He scored 12 goals in the tournament, including a brace in the final against Athletic Bilbao.
Falcao’s performances in the Europa League have been truly remarkable. He is the only player to have scored more than 15 goals in a single season of the competition, and he is one of only two players to have won the tournament twice.
Falcao’s Europa League record is even more impressive when you consider that he only played in the competition for two seasons. He is a true legend of the tournament, and his performances will never be forgotten.
In addition to his goalscoring exploits, Falcao was also a valuable asset to his teams in the Europa League in terms of his overall play. He was a strong hold-up player and was able to bring others into the game. He was also a good finisher with both feet and his head.
Falcao’s performances in the Europa League helped Porto and Atlético de Madrid to achieve great success. He is a proven goalscorer at the highest level and is one of the greatest players in the history of the competition.
2. Klass-Jan Huntellar – 30 Goals
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a Dutch striker renowned for his clinical finishing and poaching abilities, occupies the second spot on the list of all-time leading Europa League scorers. Huntelaar’s journey in the competition was marked by consistency and reliability, two qualities that made him a fan favourite during his time with AFC Ajax.
The Dutchman’s campaign in the 2011-12 season was particularly memorable, as he found the net 12 times to become the top scorer of the tournament. His partnership with Danish playmaker Christian Eriksen was a joy to behold, with Huntelaar’s ability to convert half-chances into goals setting him apart.
Huntelaar’s most prolific season in the Europa League came in 2011-12, when he scored 10 goals in 12 appearances, helping Schalke 04 to reach the semi-finals. He scored hat-tricks in both the round of 16 and quarter-finals, against Viktoria Plzeň and Athletic Bilbao respectively.
Huntelaar also played a key role in Schalke 04’s run to the Europa League final in 2013-14. He scored seven goals in the competition, including the winning goal in the quarter-final against Basel. However, Schalke 04 were ultimately defeated by Sevilla in the final.
Huntelaar continued to score goals in the Europa League throughout his career, and he finished his career with a total of 30 goals in the competition. He is one of the most feared strikers in the history of the competition, and his goalscoring record is truly remarkable.
Here is a more detailed look at Huntelaar’s performance in the UEFA Europa League:
| Club | Matches | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajax | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Schalke 04 | 51 | 21 | 5 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 4 | 6 | 1 |
In total, he amassed an impressive 30 goals in the Europa League, solidifying his status as one of the competition’s deadliest marksmen.
1. Henrik Larsson – 31 Goals
Henrik Larsson’s ability to find the back of the net in the competition was truly remarkable. He scored a total of 31 goals in the competition, a record that places him as the all-time top scorer. His composure, positioning, and finishing ability made him a nightmare for opposition defenders.
Larsson’s first experience of the UEFA Europa League came with Feyenoord in the 1996-97 season. He scored seven goals in the competition that season, helping Feyenoord to reach the quarter-finals.
Larsson then moved to Celtic in 1997, where he went on to become a club legend. He won four Scottish Premier League titles and two Scottish Cups with Celtic, and was also named Scottish Footballer of the Year twice.
Larsson also enjoyed great success in the UEFA Europa League with Celtic. He scored 26 goals in the competition for the club, including a hat-trick in a 7-0 win over Dinamo Bucharest in the 2002-03 season. It was also one of Larsson’s standout seasons in the tournament as he finished as the competition’s top scorer with 11 goals.
In 2006, Larsson joined Helsingborgs IF, his hometown club. He continued to score goals in the UEFA Europa League for Helsingborgs, netting four goals in the 2007-08 season.
Larsson retired from professional football in 2009, but he remains one of the most iconic players in the history of the UEFA Europa League. He is the competition’s all-time top scorer, and his record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.
In conclusion, Henrik Larsson’s impact in the UEFA Europa League was nothing short of legendary. His goals, performances, and influence on the teams he represented left an indelible mark on the competition. He is not only remembered as a prolific goal-scorer but also as a footballing maestro whose legacy continues to inspire future generations of footballers.
These footballing legends remind us of the rich history and talent that the Europa League has showcased over the years. They have thrilled fans with their incredible goals and performances, and their names will forever be associated with the magic of European football on Thursday nights. As the competition continues to evolve, new stars will emerge, but the legacy of these top goal-scorers will always shine brightly in the history of the Europa League.
FAQ
Who has scored most number of goals in Europa League?
Henrik Larsson has scored the most number of goals in the Europa League, with 31 goals. He played for three different clubs in the competition: Feyenoord, Celtic, and Helsingborgs IF.
