The top scorers table of the Champions League 24/25 is tampered

Being highlighted as the top scorer of the Champions League is a supreme honor for any forward. This competition, the most important in world football at the club level, requires not only exceptional individual skill but also the support of a team that advances far enough to provide the maximum number of playing opportunities.

However, with the implementation of the new format in the Champions League, not all teams play the same number of matches, creating a comparative disadvantage that seriously distorts the results in statistical terms.

Under the current rules, the players from the top eight teams in the league phase, the best clubs in the competition, are penalized, while the players from the 'worst' teams are favored by counting the goals scored in the two additional matches of the playoffs. This structural change represents an irregularity, offering those players more opportunities than the rest. The playoff round is a phase of 'punishment' and should not reward in individual terms.

Top scorers table of the Champions League 2024-2025: Analysis of the Top Scorers

The competition for the title of top scorer is fierce this year. Serhou Guirassy from Borussia Dortmund leads the table with 10 goals in 10 matches, holding the first position thanks to 1 goal scored in the playoffs. Robert Lewandowski from Barcelona follows with 9 goals in 8 matches, all scored in the league phase. The third position is occupied by Haaland and Raphinha tied with 8 goals. However, the City forward has added 2 more goals in the playoff while the Barcelona player scored them in the main phase.

Other notable competitors that distort the table are Pavlidis from Benfica (2 goals in playoffs), Kylian Mbappé from Real Madrid (4 goals), Keane with Bayern (1 goal), Dembélé with PSG (2 goals) and Giménez from Milan (1 goal). Without the goals from the playoff, the ranking would be different. Below, we review the two tables.

Official top scorers ranking of the Champions League according to UEFA

Tampered (counting the goals scored in the playoff matches):

 

1. Serhou Guirassy | Borussia Dortmund: 10 goals in 10 matches (1 goal in playoff)
2. Robert Lewandowski | FC Barcelona: 9 goals in 8 matches
3. Erling Haaland | Manchester City: 8 goals in 9 matches (2 goals in playoff)
4. Raphinha | FC Barcelona: 8 goals in 8 matches
5. Vangelis Pavlidis | Benfica: 7 goals in 10 matches (2 goals in playoff)
6. Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid: 7 goals in 10 matches (4 goals in playoff)
7. Harry Kane | Bayern Munich: 7 goals in 9 matches (1 goal in playoff)
8. Vinícius Jr. | Real Madrid: 7 goals in 8 matches
9. Gyökeres | Sporting: 6 goals in 8 matches
10. Julián Alvarez | Atlético: 6 goals in 8 matches
11. Florian Wirtz | Leverkusen: 6 goals in 8 matches
12. Ousmane Dembélé | PSG: 6 goals in 8 matches (2 goals in playoff)
13. David | Lille: 6 goals in 8 matches
14. Griezmann | Atlético: 6 goals in 8 matches
15. Santiago Giménez | Milan: 6 goals in 7 matches (1 goal in playoff)

Real top scorers ranking of the Champions League

Untampered (not counting the goals scored in the playoff matches):

1. Robert Lewandowski | FC Barcelona: 9 goals in 8 matches
2. Serhou Guirassy | Borussia Dortmund: 9 goals in 8 matches (1 goal in playoff)
3. Raphinha | FC Barcelona: 8 goals in 8 matches
4. Vinícius Jr. | Real Madrid: 7 goals in 8 matches
5. Erling Haaland | Manchester City: 6 goals in 8 matches (2 goals in playoff)
6. Harry Kane | Bayern Munich: 6 goals in 8 matches (1 goal in playoff)
7. Gyökeres | Sporting: 6 goals in 8 matches
8. Julián Alvarez | Atlético: 6 goals in 8 matches
9. Florian Wirtz | Leverkusen: 6 goals in 8 matches
10. David | Lille: 6 goals in 8 matches
11. Griezmann | Atlético: 6 goals in 8 matches
12. Santiago Giménez | Milan: 5 goals in 6 matches (1 goal in playoff)
13. Vangelis Pavlidis | Benfica: 5 goals in 8 matches (2 goals in playoff)
14. Ousmane Dembélé | PSG: 4 goals in 7 matches (2 goals in playoff)
15. Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid: 3 goals in 8 matches (4 goals in playoff)