The Champions League "League Phase" and playoff rounds have concluded, and the scoring charts are currently dominated by a certain Frenchman in Madrid.
As we head into the Round of 16 on Thursday, February 26, 2026, the battle for the Golden Boot is effectively a three-way race between a clinical superstar, a breakout English winger, and a perennial goal machine.
The Top Scorer Leaderboard (As of Feb 26, 2026)
1,Kylian Mbappé,Real Madrid,13,7
2,Anthony Gordon,Newcastle United,10,10
3,Harry Kane,Bayern Munich,8,8
4,Victor Osimhen,Galatasaray,7,8
5,Erling Haaland,Manchester City,7,8
6,Jens Petter Hauge,Bodø/Glimt,6,10
The Key Storylines
Mbappé’s Dominance: Kylian Mbappé has been surgical since joining Real Madrid. With 13 goals in just 7 appearances, he is currently averaging nearly two goals per game, making him the heavy favorite to claim the Golden Boot.
The Gordon Surge: Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon is the story of the tournament. His four-goal haul in the first leg against Qarabağ propelled him to 10 goals, making him only the second Englishman to hit double figures in a single UCL campaign (alongside Harry Kane).
The "Arctic" Threat: Bodø/Glimt’s Jens Petter Hauge has emerged as a genuine dark horse. After dumping out Inter Milan, his 6 goals make him the highest-scoring player outside of Europe's "Big Five" leagues still in the competition.
Osimhen's "Hell" Form: Victor Osimhen has thrived in the atmosphere of Istanbul, netting 7 times for Galatasaray to keep them competitive against the elite.
Team Firepower: Most Goals Scored
While individual honors are up for grabs, Newcastle United have officially taken the lead as the highest-scoring team in the competition so far:
Newcastle United: 26 Goals
Paris Saint-Germain: 26 Goals
Atlético Madrid: 24 Goals
Real Madrid: 24 Goals
Arsenal: 23 Goals
Stat Check: Newcastle’s 26 goals are the most ever scored by an English side at this stage of the competition, largely fueled by their 9-3 aggregate win in the playoffs.
The Verdict: While Mbappé has a significant lead, Newcastle's high-scoring philosophy means Anthony Gordon will have plenty of chances to close the gap in the Round of 16.