Raphinha has emerged as a shining star for Barcelona, scoring 11 goals in the Champions League this season.
The 2024–25 UEFA Champions League has witnessed some exceptional talents, with several players delivering remarkable performances in front of goal. While teams are currently battling for a place in the quarterfinals, the race for the tournament’s top scorer is just as intense. Scoring in the Champions League is no easy feat, yet some of the world’s best forwards have risen to the occasion, consistently finding the back of the net against top-class opposition.
Whether it’s seasoned veterans like Robert Lewandowski and Harry Kane, or emerging stars like Serhou Guirassy and Raphinha, the race for the Golden Boot remains wide open. Let’s take a closer look at the top scorers in this year’s Champions League and how they’ve powered their teams through the competition.
Here are the top scorers for this edition of the 2024-25 edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Raphinha has emerged as a shining star for Barcelona, scoring 11 goals in the Champions League this season. His recent brace against Benfica secured Barça’s spot in the quarter-finals. Raphinha first opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a close-range volley from Lamine Yamal’s magical assist. He then extended Barca’s lead from a quick counter-attack in the 42nd minute to go top of the Champions League scoring chart this season with 11 goals. The 28-year-old forward also became the highest-scoring Brazilian in a single Champions League season, surpassing Jardel, Rivaldo, Kaka, Neymar and Firmino who held the joint record previously with 10 goals. In addition to his 11 goals, Raphinha also has 5 assists to his name.
Serhou Guirassy has been a revelation for Borussia Dortmund this season with 10 goals in 11 appearances. Guirassy has the complete skill-set of a striker, a speedy, versatile player whose movement and aggression has seen him become the focal point of attack for Dortmund. The 28-year-old forward has also registered three assists this season.
Harry Kane has made a significant impact in the Champions League season with Bayern Munich, scoring 10 goals in 10 games. Notably, he became the first Englishman to score ten goals in a single Champions League campaign, achieving this milestone in the second leg of the last-16 win against Bayer Leverkusen. Kane has followed up a record-breaking debut season at Bayern with 32 goals in 36 games in all competitions and he is in the running to top the Champions League scoring charts for a second successive campaign.
Robert Lewandowski continues to prove why he is one of the most prolific strikers in Champions League history. With 9 goals so far, the Barcelona forward sits 4th in the goal-scoring charts, playing a crucial role in his team’s push for European glory. His experience and clinical finishing have been instrumental, especially in tight matches where his ability to convert tough chances has made all the difference. As Barcelona aims for a deep run in the tournament, Lewandowski will remain their main goal threat and will have his eyes set on climbing further up the scoring leaderboard.
Erling Haaland continues to be a formidable force in European football. The Norwegian striker has matched his previous season’s tally with 8 goals in 9 appearances, underscoring his consistency and importance to Manchester City’s attacking lineup. However, Haaland won’t get a chance to increase his tally of 8 goals as City were knocked out by reigning champions Real Madrid in the playoffs round.
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Vinícius Júnior has been instrumental in Real Madrid’s Champions League journey, contributing 7 goals and 2 assists in 8 matches. His agility and flair add a dynamic edge to Los Blancos’ offense, making him one of the standout performers this season. With Real Madrid being frontrunners to win the trophy, Vini’s knockout-stage performances will be crucial if they are to reach the final. If he maintains his scoring form, he could climb further up the Champions League top scorer rankings.
Vangelis Pavlidis has been a standout performer for Benfica, with 7 goals in 12 matches. His ability to find the back of the net has been crucial in Benfica’s impressive run in the competition. However, the Greek striker won’t be seen any more in the Champions League this season as Benfica were knocked by Barcelona out in the round of 16.
Ousmane Dembélé is experiencing a career-best season with PSG. His performances have been pivotal for the French side as he has scored 20 goals in Ligue 1 and 7 goals in the Champions League this season. The French winger has been in sensational form, consistently delivering key moments for PSG. Dembélé’s pace, dribbling, and unpredictability have made him one of PSG’s most dangerous attacking outlets this season.
Kylian Mbappé has seamlessly integrated into Real Madrid’s squad, netting 7 goals in 11 appearances. His speed and precision have been vital in breaking down defenses, reinforcing his status as one of the world’s elite forwards. The French international scored a stunning hat-trick against Manchester City in the playoffs. However, he may not feature in Real Madrid’s second leg Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid as he has been suffering from an ankle injury.
Julian Alvarez has been a key figure in Atletico’s European campaign, contributing 7 goals. His sharpness in front of goal has been instrumental in Atletico’s journey through the tournament. The Argentine forward will need to step up once again if Atletico Madrid are to overturn a 2-1 deficit heading into the second leg against reigning champions Real Madrid.
