The eight teams called up to play in the Champions League quarter-finals have now been confirmed, meaning the race to be the competition’s top scorer is well and truly on.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid secured their places last week, with Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Chelsea and Villarreal advancing from the knockout stages this week into another thrilling round.
Although lifting the iconic trophy is a priority for the players and their teams, finishing with the most goals is an accolade any striker would be proud of.
Read on as we identify current leaders and assess who is best suited to receive the crown.
Robert Lewandowski, Bayern Munich (12 goals, three assists)
Robert Lewandowski was at his best to take Bayern to the quarter-finals at the expense of FC Salzburg.
A first-half hat-trick gave opponents Austria no hope of provoking a clash at the Allianz Arena, with the Bavarian giants sealing a 7-1 victory on the night, 8-2 on aggregate.
The remarkable performance made the 33-year-old the new favorite to clinch a second Champions League top scorer gong.
An injury prevented Poland’s top scorer from facing Paris Saint-Germain in last season’s quarter-finals, which the Bundesliga champions lost on away goals, so he and his team-mates will be keen to reclaim the title they last won in 2020.
If Julian Nagelsmann’s side can continue to maintain their domestic dominance through to the round of 16, their No.9 should be firmly between the goals.
Sebastien Haller, Ajax (11 goals, one assist)
Sebastien Haller’s debut Champions League campaign was memorable but ended when Ajax suffered a 1-0 home loss to Benfica in the round of 16 second leg.
After scoring 10 goals in six group stage matches, Haller netted his 11th of the campaign in a 2-2 draw at Lisbon.
The Ivory Coast international has become the fastest player in the history of the competition to score 10 or more goals.
The 27-year-old also became the second man – after Cristiano Ronaldo – to score in all six matches in a single group stage.
The former West Ham frontman will have many special memories of a record-breaking personal performance, but will unfortunately have to wait until next season to increase his goalscoring tally.
Karim Benzema (eight goals)
Real Madrid were in serious danger of leaving the competition this year at the hands of PSG before French striker Karim Benzema took center stage.
Trailing 2-0 on aggregate with less than half an hour of play, Los Blancos’ No.9 came alive, scoring a brilliant hat-trick in just 17 minutes to seal a remarkable win.
The 34-year-old has been in imperious form this season, scoring five goals in five group stage appearances, in addition to his 22 goals in Madrid’s La Liga title race.
Benzema has never finished a Champions League season as top scorer, despite winning the trophy four times.
However, if Carlo Ancelotti’s men make it to the finish this time around, the striker would have a great chance of winning the prestigious award.
Karim Benzema scored one of the greatest Champions League hat-tricks of all time and took Real Madrid to the quarter-finals
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool (eight goals)
Mohamed Salah was frustrated after drawing Liverpool’s round of 16 loss to Inter Milan at Anfield but will have more chances to score in the quarter-finals.
The Reds emerged victorious with a 2-1 aggregate victory against the Serie A champions and will now prepare to travel to Paris for this season’s final.
The Egyptian playmaker took the lead in the first leg triumph at the San Siro, having also scored twice in a 3-2 win over Atlético in the group stage.
Jurgen Klopp’s men will again be looking to lift the trophy they last won in 2019 and will need Salah to be as instrumental now as he was during that gag season
The 29-year-old will be aiming to better his best-ever tally of 10 in the competition to take the individual prize but with the form he is in this season, you would not bet against him doing just that.
Christopher Nkunku, RB Leipzig (seven goals)
Christopher Nkunku bowed out of the running following RB Leipzig’s group-stage elimination but his goalscoring exploits mean he is well worthy of a mention.
The French attacker managed seven goals in six games — made more impressive by the fact that he rarely operates as an out-and-out striker for the Bundesliga outfit.
Playing on the left, right or in attacking midfield, the 24-year-old is developing into one of Europe’s most exciting talents.
