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The UEFA Champions League is the biggest football competition in Europe and Argentine maestro Lionel Messi and his Portuguese rival Cristiano Ronaldo being the biggest superstars on the continent, have dominated the European tournament for the past 10 years.
Their dominance has been so great that the two of them have shared the Champions League Golden Shoe between themselves during these years.
But with Ronaldo struggling to find his feet after scoring just once in the tournament so far this season, many have tipped Lionel Messi to pick up the award - having shone in front of goal during the group stage of the competition.
With an incredible 6 goals to his name in just 4 appearances in the tournament so far this season, it looks like Lionel Messi is on the right path to claim the Champions League Golden Shoe once again.
However, it should not be forgotten that there are other superstars who have also been running riot in front of goal, and with their extraordinary performances, they have shown that they are capable of beating anyone to the award this term.
Below, we take a look at 5 of the biggest challengers to Messi's throne:
#5 Moussa Marega
The UEFA Champions League afforded many lesser known players the opportunity to bring their names to highlight during the group stages. FC Porto striker Moussa Marega was one of these fantastic players who took advantage of this massive privilege.
The Mali International opened his Champions League account with a beautiful effort against Galatasaray FC in their second game which was enough to grant the Portuguese giants a vital victory, having drawn their opening fixture against Schalke 04.
Ever since then, the attacker has been quite unstoppable in front of goal, with his incredible 5 efforts in 6 appearances helping the Primeira Liga outfit to secure a place in the knockout phase of the tournament.
Marega is currently one of the top scorers in the Champions League and there is no doubt he stands a chance against Lionel Messi for the Golden Shoe this term.
#4 Paulo Dybala
There are many impressive attackers in the UEFA Champions League this season but Juventus winger Paulo Dybala has been able to put himself among the very best - courtesy of his incredible efforts in front of goal since the European tournament began this year.
The Argentine International has been quite irresistible, finding the back of the net a whopping 5 times in 5 Champions League appearances for Juventus so far, putting him in a tough competition with other elite attackers including Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi as they fight it out for the prestigious Golden Shoe this season.
With Juventus tipped to go far in the Champions League this time, Dybala is expected to record more goals as the season progresses and it would be really interesting to see how far he could go in challenging his International teammate to the coveted prize during the term.
#3 Edin Dzeko
One of the most impressive attackers in the Italian Serie A for the past couple of years, Roma striker Edin Dzeko has also emerged as one of the hottest candidates for the Champions League Golden Shoe this season - thanks to his incredible efforts in front of goal.
The attacker finished the previous Champions League campaign with an amazing 8 goals in 12 appearances to lead the Serie A side to the semifinals of the tournament after several years and he has also entered into the competition in an explosive form this season.
Dzeko has sent the ball into the back of the net a whopping 5 times in just 4 appearances in the European tournament this term and he will be looking forward to challenging Lionel Messi and other elite attackers for the prestigious Champions League Golden Shoe, come the end of the campaign.
#2 Neymar Junior
A highly talented superstar with sheer pace, incredible dribbling skills, and amazing goalscoring knack, former Barcelona winger Neymar Junior is also one of the few attackers who could pip Lionel Messi to the Champions League Golden Shoe this season.
The Brazilian has been at an incredible level in the European tournament this season, joining forces with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani to fire Paris Saint Germain into the knockout phase of the competition despite enduring a little scare in their first few games.
Neymar has recorded an amazing 5 goals to his name in 6 Champions League games so far this term and given his incredible form in front of goal at the moment, there is the possibility of him beating Lionel Messi to the coveted Golden Shoe during the campaign.
#1 Robert Lewandowski
It has not been a very impressive campaign for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich this season, but the same cannot be said of the star striker Robert Lewandowski who has been a real nightmare in front of goal so far, especially in the UEFA Champions League.
The Polish International is currently sitting on top of the goalscoring chart in the European tournament, with his impressive 8 goals in just 6 appearances, which was enough to fire Niko Kovac's men from the group stage into the next round of the competition.
Being 2 goals ahead, there is no doubt Lewandowski remains the superstar with the most chances of pipping Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi to the Champions League Golden Shoe this season and with the tournament now into the second phase, things could get really interesting from here.
