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By this time last year, Barcelona fans were already singing praises about Lionel Messi. The Argentine had just put up some exceptional displays against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and PSV Eindhoven early in the Champions League. He finished the group stage of the tournament with six goals from just four games and was in top form as the knockout phase kicked off.
Messi concluded the term with 12 UCL goals and was awarded the Golden Shoe for the fifth time in his career. This season, however, the 32-year-old is nowhere near that level, with just two goals recorded since the tournament kicked off. With the level of competition present in the race for the accolade, it doesn't look like the Barcelona captain will be able to retain it.
Many attackers are putting up great numbers in the Champions League this season and are coming all out to dethrone Messi from the European goal-scoring throne. In this article, we take a look at five players who could beat the Argentine to the Champions League Golden Shoe.
Also Read: 3 players who could challenge for the Golden Boot | 2019-20 UEFA Champions League
#5 Raheem Sterling
What Manchester City superstar Raheem Sterling has done for his club within the past few seasons deserves some recognition. The winger is undoubtedly one of the most indispensable figures in Pep Guardiola's squad at the moment, as he has a knack for getting his way past opposition defenses and providing the answers in front of goal.
The England international has earned plaudits for quite some time and won the FWA Player Of The Year award last season for the incredible role he played as the Citizens claimed their record-breaking Premier League triumph. This season, the forward could take his game to a whole new level and earn even bigger rewards for his exploits.
The 25-year-old is among a small group of elite finishers in the Champions League at the moment, having found the back of the net five times from six appearances so far. If he continues with his goal-scoring brilliance and the Citizens manage to edge out Real Madrid in their Round Of 16 tie, he would have a good chance to beat Messi to the European Golden Shoe.
Also Read: 3 teams that could win the Champions League in the next 5 years
#4 Kylian Mbappe
Paris Saint Germain sharpshooter Kylian Mbappe is also one of the few players who could pip Messi to the Champions League Golden Shoe this season, courtesy of his clinical finishing and goalscoring record in the competition so far during the term.
The 21-year-old needs no introduction: he's been one of the most prolific attackers on the continent since he had his breakthrough season with Monaco in the 2016-2017 campaign. He finished as the top scorer in Ligue 1 last term and also bagged both the best player and the best young player awards in the French top-flight.
The Frenchman has recorded five Champions League goals from six appearances so far this season. With such a brilliant record, he is in a decent position to fight for the Golden Shoe at the end of the term. Who knows? He could even be the one to dethrone Messi in the race for the coveted accolade.
#3 Cristiano Ronaldo
Who can write off the man who's bagged the most Champions League goals in history? It's a well-known fact that Cristiano Ronaldo has the highest number of UCL Golden Boots in world football. Don't be deceived by his current tally of two goals in the European tournament as we all know the Portuguese will start banging in the goals at the business end of the season.
As a matter of fact, following a rather quiet outing in the last quarter of the previous year, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has raised his game to a whole new level since the turn of the year. He's been showing us that he is still the goal-scoring machine that we all know and love, with the goals appearing to be never-ending.
The 35-year-old is currently on an impressive goal-scoring run for Juventus in the Italian top-flight, having found the back of the net in each of his last 10 appearances. He now sits second on the top scorer's chart with 20 goals from 20 matches. He has certainly taken off in fantastic fashion this term and will be keen to get one over Messi once more.
#2 Erling Haaland
We can all agree that experience is an important factor in a daunting competition like the Champions League but Erling Haaland is proof that you don't need to be the most experienced guy to get the job done.
The 19-year-old striker began his Champions League journey with RB Salzburg this season, bagging eight goals for the Austrian club in six games before they were relegated to the Europa League after failing to nail a spot in the Round of 16 stage of the tournament. This earned him a big move to Borussia Dortmund during the winter transfer window
The Norwegian has continued doing what he does best at Signal Iduna Park, tearing opposition defences apart and making goalkeepers look helpless as he fires the ball past them.
Haaland also dominated the headlines this week after netting a brace against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday. With 10 goals from seven games, he is now the joint top scorer of the tournament alongside Robert Lewandowski.
#1 Robert Lewandowski
Who would top the list if not this deadly sharpshooter that has set Europe ablaze with his explosive displays in front of goal? Robert Lewandowski has been one of the best finishers in the continent for almost a decade and only appears to be getting more clinical as he adds more years to his age.
The Polish striker has been taking down opposition defences mercilessly in the Champions League and can send the ball into the back of the net almost at will. He's sending a message across too - he's aiming for the Golden Shoe.
Lewy currently sits atop the UCL top scorer's chart alongside Erling Haaland with 10 goals to his name. However, he's played one game less than the Borussia Dortmund sensation. He will be eager to continue his decent goal-scoring run when Bayern Munich lock horns with Chelsea in their Round Of 16 encounter next week.
The striker is in a promising position to beat Messi in the Champions League Golden Shoe race and he'll surely fancy his chances.
