In addition to the World Cup, playing in the Champions League is seen as the pinnacle of a players career. For a striker, finishing as the top scorer in the world’s most prestigious club competition is second only to winning the Golden Boot at the World Cup finals.
Since the competition morphed from a knockout format to the league set-up, it’s fair to say that strikers now enjoy more games to rack up those goals. The change makes it challenging to make a direct comparison with players who played in the old format.
We’ve put together a list of the top Champions League Scorers from 1999-2020, and we’ve included a guide to those who could win the prize this year.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TOP SCORERS 1999 – 2021
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It’s still early in the Champions League season. However, we can assume a couple of strikers will be in with a shout of winning the Champions League Gold Boot. The player with the shortest odds is Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski; Paddy Power is offering 16/5 on last years winner repeating the feat in 2021. You can get 6/1 on Barcelona legend Lionel Messi. Those looking for bigger odds might want to consider Cristiano Ronaldo who’s priced up at 16/1.
Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) – 15 goals
After years of almost total domination from Messi and Ronaldo, Lewandowski was the top scorer with 15 goals as his side went onto win the competition for the first time since 2013. The Polish striker went on to also win the 19/20 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 12 goals
Despite finishing as top scorer, Messi would have been annoyed that they did not finish the season as Champions League winners. It was all going so well until a 2nd leg defeat against Liverpool.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 12 goals
Ronaldo’s last season with Real Madrid was another memorable one. They won their third successive Champions League title after beating Liverpool 3-1 in the final.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored arguably his best goal ever during this season as Real Madrid beat Juventus 3-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 12 goals
This season was a notable success for Real Madrid as they became the first team to retain the trophy in the Champions League era.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 16 goals
The season concluded with Real beating local rivals Atlético in the final. Ronaldo scored the last penalty and Madrid secured their 11th title.
Neymar, Lionel Messi (Barcelona) & Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 10 goals
Neymar joined Ronaldo and Messi as top scorer for 2014/2015 season. The Brazillian went onto score 39 goals in all competitions, and this was arguably the best season of his career.
Neymar and Messi were winners of the competition after their Barcelona side beat Juventus in the final. Watch: Neymar Jr 2014/2015 – Dribbling Skills, Runs & Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 17 goals
Real Madrid won their first Champions League since 2002 and Ronaldo played a big part in the success. He scored his sides fourth goal in the final as they beat their local rivals Atlético Madrid. Ronaldo’s 17 goals from this season is the most Champions League goals in a single campaign.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – 12 goals
The first time Cristiano Ronaldo was Champions League top scorer during his time with Real Madrid. Ronaldo’s incredible form could not quite push Real over the line in the Semi-Final.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 14 goals
The fourth successive season where Messi finished as top scorer. Despite his superb form throughout the season, Barcelona were knocked out at the Semi-Final stage after a memorable match with Chelsea.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 12 goals
Another incredibly successful season for Messi and Barcelona. Messi’s goals were vital as Barcelona lifted the famous trophy. His goal against Real Madrid in the Semi-Final is seen as one of his best.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 8 goals
A season that is more widely known for Mourinho’s Inter Milan winning the competition and their determined Semi-Final victory over Messi’s Barcelona.
Lionel Messi’s stunning four-goal haul (including a first-half hat-trick) vs Arsenal in 2010 remains one of the performances in the Champions League.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – 9 goals
2008 was Messi’s breakthrough season. The Argentinian scored 38 goals in all competitions, including the second goal in the final against Manchester United. Two of his most important goals came in a Quarter Final tie against Bayern Munich.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) – 8 goals
United would go onto win the competition after another dramatic final. Ronaldo scored in the final, and his performances throughout the competition earned him a Ballon d’Or.
Kaká (AC Milan) – 10 goals
Kaká was considered to be the best player in the world during the 2006/2007 season. He played a massive role in his side’s success that season and scored in the Semi-Final against Manchester United.
Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan) – 9 goals
This was Shevchenko’s last season with AC Milan before a move to Chelsea. His side narrowly missed out on a place in the final after a 1-0 aggregate defeat against Barcelona.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 8 goals
Not a particularly great season for Manchester United, but Van Nistelrooy still managed to finish the Champions League season as top scorer. The highlight was four goals against Sparta Prague in the Group Stages.
Fernando Morientes (AS Monaco) – 9 goals
Alongside the eventual winners Porto, Monaco were one of the surprise packages of the season and reached the final of the competition. Morientes was vital for them after his loan move from Real Madrid at the start of the season. The Spaniard even scored against his parent club in the Quarter Finals.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 12 goals
Another unsuccessful season for United in the Champions League but another fantastic year for van Nistelrooy. He scored twice in two legs in United’s memorable Quarter Final exit against Real Madrid. His best goals came in a Group Stage match against FC Basel.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United) – 10 goals
Van Nistelrooy’s first season at Old Trafford was a great one on an individual basis, but the side narrowly missed out on a place in the Champions League final. The Dutch striker scored 36 goals in all competitions, with ten coming in the Champions League.
Raúl (Real Madrid) – 7 goals
Raúl finished the season as top scorer again but could not push Real Madrid onto a second successive Champions League title.
Mário Jardel (Porto), Rivaldo (Barcelona), & Raúl (Real Madrid) – 10 goals
It was a memorable season for Raúl who finished as the competitions joint top scorer, playing an essential role in Real Madrid winning the competition. He was joined on 10 goals by the Brazilians of Mario Jardel and Rivaldo.
Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kyiv) & Dwight Yorke – (Manchester United) – 8 goals
Manchester United clinched the European Cup in dramatic circumstances against Bayern Munich. Dwight Yorke was a new signing after arriving from Aston Villa and was integral in United winning The Treble. His most notable performance came in the Quarter Finals when he scored twice against Inter Milan.
Andriy Shevchenko was superb for Dynamo Kiev and played a massive role in his side reaching the Semi-Finals of the competition. His form ultimately got the player a transfer to AC Milan where he would go onto become one of the world’s best of that era.
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