South America has produced some iconic soccer players who have made a mark on the sport. The likes of Pele, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Diego Maradona, and Ronaldinho are just a few of the legends that have graced the football field.
South American players have long been a key part of European football, with many featuring in the top five leagues including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Currently, there are a total of 228 South American players plying their trade in these top European leagues.
Now, the question arises, who stands out as the top goal-scorer from South America in Europe’s top five leagues since the year 2000? Let’s delve into the stats to find out.
According to data from Stats Perform (as reported by ESPN), coming in at number five on the list is Gonzalo Higuain with an impressive 237 goals to his name.
Argentine football star Gonzalo Higuain made his mark in Europe when he transferred from River Plate to Real Madrid in 2007. During his time with Los Blancos, he proved himself as one of the top strikers in the world, scoring a total of 107 goals in 190 league matches.
Higuain later made a move to Napoli in 2013, where he continued his impressive goal-scoring spree. In his 104 Serie A appearances for the Italian side, he found the back of the net 71 times. He even set a new record for the most goals in a single Serie A season by scoring a remarkable 36 goals in 35 games during the 2015-16 campaign.
The talented striker then joined Juventus in 2016, spending time on loan at AC Milan and Chelsea as well. He clinched the prestigious Capocannoniere title in the 2015-16 season and was honored with two appearances in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season. In total, Higuain has tallied an impressive 237 league goals in top-tier competitions.
In 2020, Higuain made the move to MLS team Inter Miami, bidding farewell to his successful career in Europe.
After showcasing his talent in his native country, Luis Suarez made the move to Ajax in 2007. He quickly solidified his reputation as one of the most potent strikers in Europe during his time with the Dutch club before transferring to Liverpool in 2011.
During his 110 appearances in the Premier League for the Reds, Suarez found the back of the net 69 times. His outstanding performance in the 2013-14 season earned him the Golden Boot after scoring an impressive 31 goals in just as many matches.
In the summer transfer window of 2014, the Uruguayan striker made the switch to Barcelona, where he continued to impress with his goal-scoring abilities. Teaming up with Lionel Messi and Neymar, Suarez netted a total of 195 goals in 283 games across various competitions during his time at Camp Nou.
Suarez’s tally of league goals in the top five European leagues stands at an impressive 248. He claimed the La Liga Pichichi Trophy for the 2015-16 season by scoring an incredible 40 goals in 35 appearances, also earning a spot in the FIFA FIFPro World XI in 2016.
In 2020, the Uruguayan icon departed Barcelona to join Atletico Madrid, where he spent two seasons before his departure from Europe in 2022. With a remarkable career filled with achievements, Suarez’s legacy as one of the top strikers in the world is undeniable.
In the realm of European football, Sergio Aguero holds the third spot on the leaderboard for top goal scorers with an impressive tally of 259 goals across the top five leagues. Aguero’s journey to stardom began when he caught the eye of Atletico Madrid, who signed him from Independiente in 2006. He quickly made a name for himself in Spain, showcasing his striking prowess and earning a reputation as one of the most skilled forwards in Europe.
During his time at Atletico, Aguero played 175 league games and found the back of the net 74 times. His stellar performances earned him accolades such as the Golden Boy award in 2007 and the title of La Liga Ibero-American Player of the Year for the 2007-08 season. This was just the start of Aguero’s illustrious career.
In 2011, Aguero made a big-money move to Manchester City, where he continued his goal-scoring spree at the renowned Etihad Stadium. He netted an impressive 184 goals in 275 Premier League appearances for the Cityzens and clinched the Premier League Golden Boot for the 2014-15 season. His standout performances also earned him a spot in the Premier League Team of the Season on two occasions.
One of Aguero’s most iconic moments came in 2012 when his last-minute goal against QPR secured the Premier League title for Manchester City, etching his name in football history. Despite his achievements, Aguero faced an unexpected setback in 2021 when he had to retire from professional football due to a cardiac arrhythmia diagnosis.
Moving on to the second spot on the goal-scoring leaderboard is Edinson Cavani, with an impressive tally of 267 goals.
Edinson Cavani made his move to Serie A side Palermo from Danubio F.C. in January following an impressive showing at the 2007 South American Youth Championship, where he ended as the tournament’s leading goal-scorer with seven goals in nine matches.
Upon his arrival in Europe, the Uruguayan striker struggled to find his footing initially, managing only seven goals in his first season and a half. However, he hit his stride during the 2008-09 season, finishing as Palermo’s top scorer across all competitions with 15 goals in 36 appearances. In total, Cavani netted 34 times in 109 league games during his stint at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Cavani’s career soared when he moved to Napoli on loan in 2010 before securing a permanent transfer in 2011. He quickly established himself as one of Serie A’s elite strikers, bagging 52 goals in just 69 matches for the Naples outfit.
A game-changing move to Paris Saint-Germain followed in the summer of 2013, marking Cavani’s most fruitful period in European football. The prolific forward netted an impressive 138 league goals in 200 appearances for the French giants, aiding them in lifting more than 20 major trophies, including six Ligue 1 titles.
During his spell in France, Cavani was named the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Season for the 2016-17 campaign and secured the Ligue 1 Golden Shoe on two occasions.
After a brief stint with Manchester United in the English Premier League, Cavani made a switch to Valencia in the summer of 2022. Subsequently, he signed with Boca Juniors in 2023, where he currently plies his trade.
With an impressive track record of goal-scoring prowess throughout his career, Cavani continues to add to his tally, chasing the likes of Lionel Messi, who boasts an incredible 496 goals to his name.
Lionel Messi holds the title of the greatest South American player to have graced European football. The Argentine star kickstarted his illustrious career at Barcelona as a young 13-year-old in 2003.
Having played a total of 520 league matches for Barcelona, Messi netted an incredible 474 goals. His collection of accolades includes eight La Liga Golden Boots, six European Golden Boots, and a remarkable eight Ballon d’Or awards.
In the 2011-12 season, Messi set a new European football record by scoring 73 goals across all competitions. After bidding farewell to his beloved Barcelona, Messi made a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2022.
During his spell with PSG, Messi showcased his talent in 58 league appearances, finding the back of the net 22 times. Despite leaving his long-standing partnership with Barcelona, Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time remains untouched.
