“Mbappé is two goals away from the record in the Champions League.”

Kylian Mbappé shone brightly in this season’s UEFA Champions League, but the dream of breaking the legendary record of 17 goals in a single edition faded with the elimination of Real Madrid. The French prodigy finished the competition with an impressive 15 goals, just two shy of the historic top mark that has remained untouched since the 2013/14 season, when Cristiano Ronaldo set the incredible record of 17 goals.

The race for the Champions League top scorer title is far from over for some. Harry Kane, who is still in contention following Bayern Munich’s victory over Real Madrid, keeps alive the hope of reaching and even surpassing this historic record. The battle for dominance on the list of the most prolific scorers in a single European season promises to be fierce.

Revisiting the names that have marked the history of the competition, Opta Analyst compiled a list of the greatest scorers in a single season, showcasing the elite of goal scorers who have challenged the limits of European football. Among them are stars like Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Cristiano Ronaldo himself, who on several occasions came close to or surpassed the 15-goal barrier.

The gallery showcases the feats of each of these stars:

– Erling Haaland impressed with 12 goals for Manchester City in 2022/23.

– Lionel Messi shone in several seasons with Barcelona, even reaching 14 goals in 2011/12.

– Cristiano Ronaldo, the king of goals, dominated multiple editions, including the historic mark of 17 goals in 2013/14.

– Robert Lewandowski also made his mark with up to 15 goals for Bayern Munich.

– Mbappé, the young phenomenon, reached 15 goals in 2025/26 for Real Madrid, showcasing his undeniable talent.

In addition to these legendary names, there are also less expected figures like Raphinha and Serhou Guirassy, who each reached 13 goals in 2024/25, demonstrating that the new generation is ready to leave its mark on the biggest stage of European football.

Despite Real Madrid’s early elimination, the Champions League season was marked by high-level individual performances, with Mbappé consolidating his status as one of the greatest scorers of the current era. The record of 17 goals remains, for now, an open challenge, a goal that few will be able to match.

With the upcoming editions of the Champions League promising even more excitement and goals, all eyes will be on the stars capable of making history. Who will be the next to challenge the limits and write their name in the eternity of European football? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the battle for the top of the scoring charts is more intense than ever.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.