8 Surprise Golden Shoe Winners

The European Golden Shoe has been dominated by the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo over the past 10 years, that makes it easy to forget that there is a period before them. Here we recall eight of the very most surprising Golden Shoe winners Europe has produced!

The goalscorers accolade was awarded by European Sports Media since 1996, with Ronaldo Nazario, who at that time played for FC Barcelona, being the first recipient of the trophy with 34 goals in the 1996/97 season.

Over the years, famous brands Ronaldo Nazario, Thierry Henry, Ronaldo and Messi have lifted the award, with the latter, FC Barcelona's current captain, having won the accolade a lot more than other people with six triumphs.

Despite these big players being among the winners, there were a few surprise names that finished as the most notable league goalscorer in Europe, you start with former Greece and Vitesse Arnhem striker Nikos Machlas, who struck on 34 occasions in the 1997/98 campaign.

Fans may have forgotten that Mario Jardel, who flopped at Bolton Wanderers following his arrival at the club in 2003, won the award on two occasions before his proceed to England. The Brazilian scored 36 league goals in 1998/99 to win it when he was an FC Porto player, and scored 42 times to win it with Sporting Lisbon in 2001/02.

Despite winning it twice, Diego Forlan makes our list for his first triumph in 2004/05, the growing season after he left Manchester United. The Uruguayan scored just 17 goals in 98 appearances for the Red Devils, but beat his tally for the English giants in league goals alone after his proceed to Villarreal. Click through the gallery above to see more players who surprised us by winning the accolade!