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European Golden Shoe: Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland Chase Early Pace-Setters
27 Sept 2026
ESPN FC reported on 27 September 2026 that the early race for the European Golden Shoe features a little-known striker leading the standings ahead of FC Barcelona forward Raphinha.
The same ESPN FC update said Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland are among the high-profile players chasing the early pace-setters in the scoring race.
European Golden Shoe standings are built on league goals, with the ranking changing as domestic seasons progress across Europe. At this stage of the campaign, ESPN FC’s report places the focus on the opening run of goals rather than any final outcome.
That makes the early leaderboard worth watching for the spread of names near the top, even before the season has settled into its usual rhythm. ESPN FC’s framing shows that established stars are already involved, while an unexpected front-runner has emerged at this point in the race.
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