{
  "id": 6441705,
  "title": "FULL LIST: Five players chasing Ronaldo’s Champions League goals record",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/full-list-five-players-chasing-ronaldos-champions-league-goals-record",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-09T16:54:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/full-list-five-players-chasing-ronaldos-champions-league-goals-record/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The record of 17 goals scored in a single Champions League season by Cristiano Ronaldo stands as one of the most impressive achievements in the competition's history. Despite numerous players attempting to break the record, none have managed to surpass Ronaldo's feat. UEFA reports that Kylian Mbappé led the pack in the 2025/26 season, scoring 15 goals in the competition. The expanded league phase and increased match opportunities in recent years have made the record even more attainable. Five players are currently in contention to challenge Ronaldo's record, as outlined by Planet Football. Kylian Mbappé, who scored 15 goals last season, remains the most likely candidate, having already scored a goal in his team's 2026/27 Champions League opener. Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker, has also demonstrated his goal-scoring capabilities, scoring both goals in City's recent victory over Porto and currently sitting at 59 goals in 59 appearances. Harry Kane, another prominent scorer, scored 14 goals in the 2025/26 Champions League campaign, just three shy of Ronaldo's record. Barcelona's Raphinha and Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembélé, who also operate as central forwards, are other potential contenders despite their lesser goal tallies, as their teams have the potential to reach deep into the competition.",
  "summary": "Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League goal record is under threat. See the five players, including Mbappé and Haaland, who could surpass his 17-goal season. Read More: https://punchng.com/full-list-five-players-chasing-ronaldos-champions-league-goals-record/",
  "key_points": [
    "Kylian Mbappé led goal scorers in 2025/26 season with 15 goals.",
    "Erling Haaland has 59 goals in 59 appearances for Manchester City.",
    "Harry Kane scored 14 goals in 2025/26 Champions League campaign."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "FULL LIST: Five players chasing Ronaldo’s Champions League goals record",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/full-list-five-players-chasing-ronaldos-champions-league-goals-record-6447401",
        "published": "2026-09-09T17:40:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Dembélé roars back to form with 2 first-half goals and an assist against Slovan in Champions League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/dembele-roars-back-to-form-with-2-first-half-goals-and-an-assist",
        "published": "2026-09-09T19:57:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Odegaard goal gets Arsenal off to winning start in Champions League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/odegaard-goal-gets-arsenal-off-to-winning-start-in-champions-league",
        "published": "2026-09-09T21:10:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "CAF Champions League: Rivers United seek fans support ahead San Pedro clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/caf-champions-league-rivers-united-seek-fans-support-ahead-san-pedro",
        "published": "2026-09-09T21:10:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Manchester United vs Sabah: UEFA Champions League – preview, team news",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/manchester-united-vs-sabah-uefa-champions-league-preview-team-news",
        "published": "2026-09-09T21:15:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "PSG begin defence of Champions League title with 6-1 win over Slovan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/psg-begin-defence-of-champions-league-title-with-6-1-win-over-slovan",
        "published": "2026-09-09T21:17:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RFI English",
        "title": "PSG rout Slovan Bratislava to launch Champions League campaign",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/psg-rout-slovan-bratislava-to-launch-champions-league-campaign",
        "published": "2026-09-09T21:30:45.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Odegaard gives Arsenal winning Champions League start at Napoli",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/odegaard-gives-arsenal-winning-champions-league-start-at-napoli-6496149",
        "published": "2026-09-09T23:17:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}