FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017: Top 5 scorers in the history of the tournament
The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup is getting closer with less than four weeks remaining till India host probably their biggest sporting event since the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The whole of India will be looking forward to this tournament as this will be the first time India take part in any major FIFA event and the success of the tournament would prove to be vital in popularizing football in the country
Over the years, there have been many footballers who have scored a bucket-load of goals at the tournament with a few of them having won the Golden Boot for the top scorer of the tournament. Here is a list of the all-time top scorers of the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
#5. Valmir Berisha and Macauley Chrisantus- 7 goals in 7 matches
At No.5, we have a tie between Nigeria’s Macauley Chrisantus and Sweden’s Valmir Berisha. Both players have won the Golden Boot for being the top-scorer of their respective tournaments with 7 goals.
Chrisantus scored 7 goals at the 2007 U-17 World Cup in South Korea where Nigeria won their 3rd U-17 World Cup. Now plying his trade at newly promoted Greek Super League club PAS Lamia, Chrisantus scored in Nigeria’s every game barring the round of 16 and final. He was also adjudged the second best player of the tournament and was consequently awarded the Silver Ball.
Valmir Berisha was the top scorer at Sweden’s only appearance at the U-17 World Cup till date at the United Arab Emirates in 2013. Berisha scored a brace during Sweden’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Nigeria in the group stage before scoring a goal each in Sweden’s wins in the round of 16 and the quarter-finals.
Sweden were eliminated in the semi-finals after being thrashed by Nigeria 3-0. However, Berisha helped Sweden to third place by scoring a hat-trick in the third-place play-off against Argentina.