Euro 2021 top scorer predictions
Club football is drawing to a close as Europe's finest players already have their eyes laid on the upcoming Euro 2021.
The final stage is set for 24 national teams to stake their claim for the coveted prize.
Ever since Eder's extra-time strike against France brought Portugal a long-awaited major title, the days of counting down the till the next Euro are soon to be over.
With the delayed tournament just around the corner, let's take a look at players who might challenge for the competition's top-scorer award and who the betting on Euro 2021 favours this summer.
Harry Kane
When it comes to the scoring leaderboards in Europe, the digits point in Harry Kane's direction. And if England look to conquer the Old Continent for the first time in history, they will need their talisman to be at his best.
Known for his scoring prowess, the Tottenham Hotspur ace is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation and among the greatest in modern Premier League history.
The 27-year-old has already demonstrated his ability to shine at big tournaments, having won the Golden Boot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
While England finished fourth following a 2-0 defeat to Belgium in the third-place play-offs, Kane netted six times, including a hat-trick against Panama.
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is expected to spearhead the line for Belgium at Euro on the back of an astonishing season at Inter Milan.
Having bagged 59 goals in 91 matches for the national team, the 27-year-old is Belgium's all-time top goalscorer and arguably one of the best to appear at the tournament.
Lukaku was on the scoresheet in his last three outings for De Rode Duivels, including against Wales and the Czech Republic in the World Cup qualifiers during the latest international break.
The former Manchester United flop has tallied 27 goals in all competitions this term, establishing himself as one of the fiercest No 9's in European football.
Kylian Mbappe
At the age of 19, Kylian Mbappe was a star in Russia as France lifted the World Cup title in stunning fashion.
The Paris Saint-Germain speed-demon become the youngster player to find the net in the World Cup finals.
Mbappe finished the final competition with four strikes under his belt, which earned him the FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award.
So synonymous with the blue of France, the quicksilver forward marked his 100th career goal in the national team jersey, having scored against Andorra in the Euro qualifier.
The 22-year-old is the one to keep an eye on as France face Portugal and Germany in Group F. Allocated to the 'Group of Death,' Les Bleus will need their headline performer to step up and carry them through to the knock-outs.
Cristiano Ronaldo
It is insufficient to say how much Cristiano Ronaldo loves to score and perform in high-stake contests.
The upcoming Euros may be his last opportunity to glitter in the national team shirt at one of the biggest international stages.
Portugal's most capped player ever and the nation's all-time top-scorer, the 36-year-old led his country to the 2016 Euro title, acquiring the Silver Boot in the process.
Ronaldo has sent the benchmark higher this time around as he looks to tie Ali Daei's all-time record for 109 goals scored at the international level.
The Juventus superstar has registered 103 strikes for Portugal and could make history in the highly anticipated tournament.
Honorable mentions
Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann won the award in Euro 2016, having notched six goals en route to France's runners-up finish on home soil. The 30-year-old has since left Atletico Madrid to team up with Barcelona, losing much of his scoring instincts and self-confidence in the process.
Though he is expected to lead the line for Didier Deschamps' team, Griezmann will have to share the scoring stakes with Mbappe, making his bid to win the award again even more challenging.
Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is arguably the best No 9 football has had in the past decade. The 32-year-old is a deadly finisher, with no player in Europe's top-five divisions able to match his staggering numbers over the past two years.
Despite racking up 55 goals in 47 appearances for Bayern Munich last season, Lewandowski missed out on the Ballon d'Or due to it being cancelled.
The Poland captain will be eager to plead his case for the 2021 Ballon D'Or, and what better way to stand out among his peers than to finish the top scorer in a major international competition.
Poland's capacity to thrive at the final tournament is the only thing that may throw a spanner in the works.