Five contenders who could be the Champions League's top scorer in 2025-26

The Champions League has become almost as much about the individual race for stardom and Ballon d’Or credentials as it is about the clubs chasing the trophy. 

Every season produces its own battle between Europe’s deadliest finishers and 2025-26 should be no different. 

Between proven veterans, established superstars and one blockbuster new arrival, the competition to top the scoring charts looks ferocious.

Here are five players who look primed to challenge for the honour.

How to watch the Champions League on DAZN

• Canada: Watch every Champions League game with a DAZN subscription

• U.S.: Watch three exclusive Champions League games every match week, in Spanish language, with a DAZN subscription

• New Zealand: Watch every Champions League game with a DAZN subscription

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Raphinha (Barcelona)

FC Barcelona

Barcelona’s Brazilian playmaker had the best European season of his career in 2024/25, scoring 13 goals in the Champions League.

That tally put him level with Serhou Guirassy at the top of the scoring chart. For Raphinha, it was a statement campaign – decisive in the group stage and prolific in the knockouts, he proved himself a genuine continental star.

With Barcelona again among the favourites, it would be no surprise if he came close to last season’s haul.

 

Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Getty Images

Nobody in modern football marries volume and efficiency like Erling Haaland.

The Norwegian goal machine has scored 49 goals in just 48 Champions League games, a strike rate that borders on the absurd. Last season he added eight goals in Europe for Manchester City, who remain one of the favourites to reach the latter stages.

With City’s creativity and Haaland’s reliability in front of goal, he enters every Champions League campaign as the man to beat in the scoring race.

 

Alexander Isak (Liverpool)

Liverpool FC

Liverpool broke the British transfer record to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United this summer in a deal worth around £125 million.

The Swedish striker had already proven his pedigree, scoring 23 Premier League goals in 2024-25 and 54 across his time at Newcastle.

At Anfield, he will lead the line for a side built to attack and expected to make a deep run in Europe. If he settles quickly, his finishing ability and movement give him the profile of a player who could break into the very top tier of Champions League scorers this season.

 

Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid

Mbappe’s debut year at Real Madrid delivered the numbers many predicted. He scored 44 goals in all competitions, including 31 in La Liga and seven in the Champions League.

Surrounded by Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, he is the centrepiece of Europe’s most glamorous attack.

At 26, he is at his physical peak and last year’s output showed he is more than capable of chasing down the Golden Boot. With Madrid almost certain to be involved deep into spring, the Frenchman is as dangerous a contender as any.

 

Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) 

(C)Getty Images

At 32, Kane remains one of the game’s most reliable scorers. In 2024-25, he registered 41 goals in all competitions for Bayern Munich, 11 of them in the Champions League. Only Raphinha and Guirassy scored more in Europe’s top club competition.

Kane’s game has always been about intelligence and timing as much as physical dominance, which makes him ideally placed to extend his elite production well into his 30s.

Bayern are perennial contenders and with Kane as their focal point, he will again be among the names chasing the Golden Boot.

Watch the Champions League on DAZN

Every Champions League match this season can be watched on DAZN in Canada and New Zealand.

For U.S. soccer fans, three Champions League matches per game week will be broadcast exclusively on DAZN, in Spanish language.