The most prolific goalscoring seasons in Champions League history

The UEFA Champions League stands as the pinnacle of European club football. Throughout its history, this annual extravaganza has seen some of football's greatest players etch their names into folklore. Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe are among the elite marksmen who have graced the competition.

Ronaldo holds the record for both career goals and goals scored in a single Champions League season. His most prolific campaign occurred in the 2013/14 season, where he netted 17 goals, contributing to Real Madrid's record-extending 10th European crown. Ronaldo's second highest goal tally came in the 2015/16 season with 16 goals, and he shares third place with 15 goals scored in the 2017/18 season. Real Madrid triumphed in the Champions League during all three of these exceptional seasons.

Four different players have achieved 15 or more goals in a single Champions League edition. In the 2025/26 season, Kylian Mbappe became the first footballer to score 15 goals in a single season but failed to secure the Champions League trophy. The expanded format, featuring more teams and games, raises the question of whether anyone could break Ronaldo's record this season.