The usual suspects all return for this year’s edition of the Champions league, although some are donning new colors. This summer has seen a turbulent transfer window, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane all departing their clubs in favor of a new adventure, making this year’s campaign as competitive as ever.
With new arrivals comes new optimism as each team will look to upset the Champions League odds and win the illustrious big eared trophy in St Petersburg. But in order to do so, they need to score goals, and goals aplenty. With no away goal rule this season and a new format on the horizon, teams will be eager to score as many as possible in order to qualify for the next round, and will be looking at their respective talisman for inspiration — here is who we think will top the charts for Champions League goal scorers.
Mo Salah – Liverpool
A Champions League winner back in 2019, Mo Salah’s goal within the first minute in Madrid helped Liverpool on the way to a sixth European title, and they will need the ‘Egyptian King’ once again if they are to win a seventh. Despite a lackluster season for the rest of the Reds formidable front three, Salah carried much of the load, scoring vital goals as a strong run of form saw Jürgen Klopp’s side qualify for this year’s competition. They may come in as a less favorable option, but Liverpool can score goals for fun and you would be unwise if you think Salah won’t be involved in a few of them.
Lionel Messi – Paris Saint-Germain
The little magician traded Catalonia for the French capital this summer in a move that sent the footballing landscape into a state of disarray — making bookmakers completely re-evaluate the Champions League betting tips. If the Argentinean can rekindle his terrific partnership with Neymar amongst the plethora of talent at the Parc des Princes, then opposition defenses should be terrified, and Messi could finally win another Champions League title after a seven-year absence, whilst picking up a Golden Boot along the way.
Erling Håland – Borussia Dortmund
Erling Hålands meteoric goal-scoring rise in the Champions League continued last season as the Norwegian notched up double figures despite Dortmund exiting prematurely. At just 21, Håland oozes class with a finishing ability unmatched at his age. With his future up in the air due to a release clause in his contract, what’s next the striker is still unknown but you would certainly count on him to find the back of the net a few more times and put his name in the shop window if he is to depart from the Signal Iduna Park.
Robert Lewandowski – Bayern Munich
Many feel the Polish goal machine was robbed of a Ballon d’Or award due to the pandemic. Lewandowski won the Champions League in 2020 and passed Gerd Müller’s goal-scoring record in the Bundesliga last campaign. His clinical finishing and range of strikes stands him and Bayern in good stead to go far once again in the competition under new manager Julian Nagelsmann. The young coach will be looking at Lewandowski for goals and we’re pretty certain he can provide them in abundance.
