Surprise on the Golden Shoe: Ardon Jashari (AC Milan) trumps ex-teammates of Club Brugge with 1 voting round
Not Christos Tzolis or Hans Vanaken, but Ardon Jashari (23) won the 2025 Golden Shoe. Jashari moved from Club Brugge to AC Milan last summer, but collected enough points in one half of the season to outdo his former teammates.
| Golden Shoe result (men) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| player | club | points | |
| 1. | Ardon Jashari (Zwi) | Club Brugge/AC Milan | 351 |
| 2. | Hans Vanaken | Club Bruges | 304 |
| 3. | Christos Tzolis (Gri) | Club Bruges | 243 |
| 4. | Adem Zorgane (Algae) | Charleroi/Union | 168 |
| 5. | Noah Sadiki (With) | Union | 145 |
| 6. | Promise David (Can) | Union | 140 |
| 7. | Franjo Ivanovic (Kro) | Union | 101 |
| 8. | Nathan De Cat | Anderlecht | 55 |
| 9. | Ryotaro Ito (Jap) | Sint-Truiden | 49 |
| 10. | Charles Vanhoutte | Union | 43 |
Who expected this?
Christos Tzolis seemed to be the clear favorite tonight to become the Golden Boot of 2025, but a coup de théâtre by an ex-teammate completely ruined that plan. In the end he only finished third after Hans Vanaken.
It was actually Ardon Jashari who climbed the stage to receive the prestigious award.
The former Club Brugge midfielder, who secured a top transfer to AC Milan this summer, only needed one round of voting to emerge as the laureate. Only Gilles De Bilde has already done this feat for him.
I only had five minutes to get changed.
Ardon Jashari
Jashari’s qualities are beyond dispute. The versatile midfielder was Club Brugge’s metronome last season. Intelligent with and without the ball, physically difficult to play and barely able to move the ball.
He finished the season with four goals and six assists, but the strength of the Swiss midfielder can hardly be expressed numerically.
“It’s really incredible. I have such a good feeling,” beamed Jashari, who had been rushed over from Italy. “I only had fifteen minutes to leave after the match this afternoon, then I flew to Ostend and had to get dressed in five minutes to enter the podium,” he told his story of a hectic day.
Yet it did not detract from his enthusiasm in the least. “I will never forget Belgium and Club Brugge when I look at this trophy. I am extremely proud to have received this important prize. I would therefore like to thank everyone at Club Brugge once again, because without them this would never have been possible.”
Also prizes for Anderlecht, Union and Lukaku
In addition to the main prize, several other prizes were awarded at the Golden Shoe Gala. In the secondary categories, Anderlecht in particular could be proud.
Nathan De Cat’s total revelation has not gone unnoticed. As a 17-year-old talent, he received the prize for Promise of the Year. He succeeds Bilal El Khannouss, who is currently the title holder for Morocco at the Africa Cup, in a nice list of talents.
His teammate Colin Coosemans also got his moment. He was put forward as Goalkeeper of the Year. A prize for his perseverance. For a long time, Coosemans seemed to be making a career as a double for top teams, but this year he proved himself as the constant and leader at Anderlecht.
Furthermore, Sébastien Pocognoli received the trophy for Best Trainer of the Year. A recognition due to the championship with Union. Romelu Lukaku, on the other hand, kept Jeremy Doku and Thibaut Courtois behind him as Best Belgian Abroad.
| winners | |
|---|---|
| Golden Boot men | Ardon Jashari |
| Golden Shoe women | Tessa Wullaert |
| Promise of the Year | Nathan De Cat |
| Goalkeeper of the Year | Colin Coosemans |
| Coach of the Year | Sébastien Pocognoli |
| Goal of the Year | Christos Tzolis |
| Best Belgian Abroad | Romelu Lukaku |
Golden Shoe men: Ardon Jashari!
Still a surprise! The Golden Boot of 2025 is Ardon Jashari. The former Club Brugge metronome was the absolute lord and master of the blue-black midfield last season. He collected so many points in the first round that top favorite Christos Tzolis could no longer get over his ex-teammate.
Now we just have to wait for the top 3…
4. Adem Zorgane
5. Noah Sadiki
6. Promise David
7. Franjo Ivanovic
8. Nathan De Cat
9. Ryotaro Ito
10. Charles Vanhoutte
Golden Shoe women: Tessa Wullaert
Among the women there is hardly any discussion: Tessa Wullaert remains the undisputed reference. The West Flemish won her sixth Golden Shoe and thus strengthens her unique place in Belgian football history. No player ever did better. “This will of course remain special,” she said.
UDPDATE: Jasharai op 1, Learn Pass 3e
Is there a surprise in the works? With a new ranking, Ardon Jashari is number one. He jumps over Hans Vanaken. Top favorite Christos Tzolis still dangles in third place.
Promise of the Year: Nathan De Cat
Nathan De Cat’s total revelation has not gone unnoticed. As a 17-year-old talent, he received the prize for Promise of the Year. He follows Bilal El Khannouss, who is currently the title holder for Morocco at the Africa Cup, in a nice list of talents. Karetsas – who only had 8 points less – and Sadiki receive an honorable mention.
Best Belgian Abroad: Lukaku
The bridge was quickly made: the prize for Best Belgian Abroad was also awarded immediately. It is between Jeremy Doku, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku. They would all be deserved winners, but in the end it is the Red Devils’ record striker who wins: Lukaku.
Some legends of Belgian football are also honored. So get it Philippe Albert, Michel Preud’homme and guest of honor Kevin De Bruyne a spot in the Hall of Fame.
Best Goalkeeper: Coosemans
A beautiful moment on stage. A clearly emotional Colin Coosemans receives the Goalkeeper of the Year award from his children and mother. A prize for his perseverance. For a long time, Coosemans seemed to be making a career as a double for top teams, but this year he proved himself as the constant and leader at Anderlecht.
Best Trainers: Pocognoli
The coaching carousel has been going crazy in the Belgian competition in recent years. Just to say: being a coach in our first division is no easy feat. Yet there is also success within the storm, for example, Sébastien Pocognoli receives the Trainer of the Year award after his historic title with Union.
Tzolis’ deliberate bicycle kick goal against Dender.
Best goal by Tzolis
Is it a harbinger of things to come? Christos Tzolis’ bicycle kick goal against Dender wins the award for Best Goal of the Year. “I didn’t expect this,” he beams.
We immediately get a first score. Remarkable: the entire top 3 belongs to Club Brugge. And not top favorite Tzolis, but Vanaken currently claims first place.
1. Hans Vanaken
2. Ardon Jashari
3. Christos Tzolis
LIVE
After the glitz and glamor on the golden carpet, the real awards ceremony can now begin. Follow here from start to finish which players, players and trainers will win prizes tonight.
Striking: Coucke is already wearing his golden shoes
Guest of honor De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is the eye-catcher at the Golden Shoe Gala tonight. As guest of honor, the Red Devil received a warm welcome. In passing, he also gave a small update on the rehabilitation of his hamstring injury.
“How are my hamstrings? Good,” he nodded to organizer DPG Media. “My rehabilitation is currently going very well. Tomorrow I also have a scan and I hope to be able to start walking again soon. But I am already satisfied with how things are going now and I couldn’t really wish for more,” he concluded hopefully.
Kevin De Bruyne will also be present at the gala
Vanaken: “Based on the entire year, Tzolis is my favorite”
For me, Tzolis is the favorite, but I warned him that things can always go wrong. Look at Jashari, who will get a lot of points in one round.
Hans Vanaken
Wullaert: “Every Golden Shoe is beautiful, room will be made for it anyway”
Wullaert for her sixth?
Another outright favorite: Tessa Wullaert. The Inter player can win her sixth Golden Shoe tonight. No one ever did better. “It will be exciting again, but I hope to win again, yes. That would be nice. I had a good season with Inter and the Red Flames. Look, I did my best, now we have to wait and see.”
Tzolis: “I asked Hans what it is like at these types of events”
Top favorite Tzolis
Happiness radiates from Christos Tzolis when we get him in front of the microphone. “How do I feel? I’m a bit nervous, but I’m also having fun here. This is a nice moment. I especially want to enjoy it with my brother.”
It is all new for the Greek attacker of Club Brugge, who is attending the Golden Boot Gala for the first time. “There are indeed a lot of new things for me tonight, including wearing a full costume for the first time,” he jokes.
The attention tonight will mainly be on him as the top favorite. “I’m not really used to all those cameras. It’s serious here, isn’t it (laughs). I’m curious about the result. Why should I win? I play for the best team in Belgium and they have always been able to rely on me.”
Enter: Christos Tzolis
There’s the top favorite! Christos Tzolis walks into the entrance hall with a broad smile. The cameras start flashing extra and all heads turn in his direction. This seems to be his night.
De Cat: “Of course winning the Golden Shoe is a big dream”
Nathan De Cat is also present on the golden carpet. The 17-year-old talent from Anderlecht is the favorite in the Promise of the Year category tonight. “Winning that prize? That would be very nice,” he remained modest beforehand. “I’m actually happy just being here.”
Alderweireld: “My favorite? Tzolis”
For me, Christos Tzolis is the favorite tonight.
Toby Alderweireld
The first guests arrive at the Golden Shoe gala in Middelkerke.
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