African footballers have repeatedly proven their class in major European leagues with superb goalscoring displays that have helped their teams achieve sustained success.
While scoring double digits in goals or even winning the league’s golden boot is no small feat, several African stars have done just that and have written their names into the history books.
This article takes a look at five African players who have topped the goalscoring charts in a single European league season.
Mohamed Salah (32 in 2017-18, 29 in 2024-25)
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah tops this list as the African footballer with the most goals in a single European league season, netting 32 times during the 2017-18 season. The tally set a record for the most goals scored in a 38-game season as at the time, although it has since been surpassed by Erling Haaland’s tally of 36 in the 2022-23 season.
Meanwhile, Salah also scored 29 goals last season as he helped Liverpool to a record-equaling 20th English top-flight title last season, which also places him fourth on this list.
With four Premier League golden boots to his name, the 33-year-old has cemented his status as one of the best players of his generations.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (31 in 2016-17)
Gabon captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang closely follows Salah after his tally of 31 goals in the 2016-17 season during his time at Borussia Dortmund, helped his side to a third-placed finish in the league season and also earned him the prestigious golden boot prize.
The 36-year-old left Dortmund in 2018 and went ahead to play for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona in a successful career.
Samuel Eto’o (30 in 2008-09)
Cameroon legend Samuel Eto’o ranks third on this lead with 30 goals for Barcelona as they recorded their 19th La Liga triumph in the 2008-09 season, although he was pipped to the golden boot by Atletico Madrid’s Diego Forlan, who scored 32 goals.
Eto’o also went on to score four times in the UEFA Champions League that season, as the Spanish side completed a historic treble triumph, sealing an excellent campaign for the Cameroon great.
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Didier Drogba (29 in 2009-10)
Didier Drogba ranks joint-fourth on this list alongside Salah, after scoring 29 goals in the 2009-10 season as Chelsea won a fourth English top-flight title.
The Ivorian icon formed a major part of a ruthless attack that went on to score a then-record of 103 goals in the league that season.
Drogba won the Premier League golden boot that season, which was the second of his career and was also named in the PFA Team of the year after a remarkable campaign.
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Serhou Guirassy (28 in 2023-24)
Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy completes this list after a sensational campaign with Stuttgart in the 2023-24 season when he scored a club-record 28 goals, as they sealed a return to the UEFA Champions League after a long absence.
The 29-year-old missed out on winning the golden boot, which was won by Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane with 36 goals, but his outstanding form was rewarded with a move to Borussia Dortmund at the end of that season.
