Every Champions League Golden Boot Winner Since 1992
The UEFA Champions League is where footballing legends are made. While lifting the iconic trophy remains the ultimate goal, the Golden Boot stands as a prestigious individual honor—awarded each season to the player who scores the most goals during the campaign.
Since the tournament’s rebranding in 1992, some of the game’s greatest stars have topped the scoring charts—while others have emerged from the shadows with unforgettable runs. Here’s a year-by-year breakdown of every Champions League Golden Boot winner from the 1992/93 season through 2024/25.
1992/93 – Romário (7 goals)
The first Champions League Golden Boot in the modern era went to Romário. The Brazilian striker scored seven goals for PSV Eindhoven, showcasing his clinical finishing despite his team failing to reach the latter stages.
1993/94 – Ronald Koeman & Wynton Rufer (8 goals)
This season saw a rare tie between Barcelona’s Ronald Koeman and Werder Bremen’s Wynton Rufer. Both scored eight goals, with Koeman leading from the back and Rufer making history as New Zealand’s top European scorer.
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1994/95 – George Weah (7 goals)
George Weah lit up the Champions League for PSG, netting seven goals and helping the French club reach the semifinals. He would go on to win the Ballon d’Or the same year.
1995/96 – Jari Litmanen (9 goals)
Ajax’s Finnish playmaker Jari Litmanen guided his side to the final and finished as top scorer. His nine goals were vital in a campaign that ended with penalty heartbreak against Juventus.
1996/97 – Milinko Pantić (5 goals)
In a low-scoring year, Atlético Madrid’s Milinko Pantić topped the charts with just five goals. Despite the modest tally, he stood out in a competitive campaign.
1997/98 – Alessandro Del Piero (10 goals)
Juventus reached their third straight final, and Del Piero’s flair and finishing were key. He scored 10 goals, including a stunning hat-trick against Monaco in the semifinals.
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1998/99 – Dwight Yorke & Andriy Shevchenko (8 goals)
Yorke starred in Manchester United’s treble-winning season with eight goals, matched by Dynamo Kyiv’s Shevchenko. Both were unstoppable in front of goal.
1999/00 – Raúl, Rivaldo & Mario Jardel (10 goals)
A three-way tie saw Real Madrid’s Raúl, Barcelona’s Rivaldo, and Porto’s Jardel each score 10 goals. All three were standout performers in a memorable turn-of-the-century campaign.
2000/01 – Raúl (7 goals)
Raúl followed up the previous season by claiming the award outright. His goals once again propelled Real Madrid to the later stages.
2001/02 – Ruud van Nistelrooy (10 goals)
In his first season at Manchester United, Van Nistelrooy made an immediate impact in Europe. He scored 10 goals, including crucial strikes in the knockout rounds.
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2002/03 – Ruud van Nistelrooy (12 goals)
The Dutchman was unstoppable, finishing two goals clear of the next best scorer. His 12-goal haul came despite United exiting in the quarterfinals.
2003/04 – Fernando Morientes (9 goals)
On loan from Real Madrid to Monaco, Morientes punished his parent club and others with nine goals. He helped the French side reach a surprise final.
2004/05 – Ruud van Nistelrooy (8 goals)
Van Nistelrooy won his third Golden Boot in four years. Even though United were knocked out early, his consistency in front of goal was unmatched.
2005/06 – Andriy Shevchenko (9 goals)
In his final season at AC Milan, Shevchenko delivered one last top-tier campaign in Europe. His nine goals took Milan to the semifinals.
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2006/07 – Kaká (10 goals)
Kaká led Milan to Champions League glory and was Europe’s top scorer. His mix of elegance and power made him unplayable during that season.
2007/08 – Cristiano Ronaldo (8 goals)
Ronaldo’s first Golden Boot came with Manchester United, who won the title against Chelsea. He scored eight times, including a goal in the final.
2008/09 – Lionel Messi (9 goals)
Messi kicked off his Golden Boot tally with nine goals as Barcelona triumphed over Manchester United. His header in the final remains iconic.
2009/10 – Lionel Messi (8 goals)
Although Barcelona didn’t reach the final, Messi once again led the competition in goals. His flair and precision remained unmatched.
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2010/11 – Lionel Messi (12 goals)
Messi was brilliant throughout the season, guiding Barcelona to a second title in three years. He scored 12 goals, including one in the Wembley final.
2011/12 – Lionel Messi (14 goals)
Despite Barcelona being knocked out in the semifinals, Messi finished with an incredible 14 goals. It remains his highest tally in the competition.
2012/13 – Cristiano Ronaldo (12 goals)
Now with Real Madrid, Ronaldo reclaimed the top scorer crown. Though Madrid fell in the semifinals, his goal output was immense.
2013/14 – Cristiano Ronaldo (17 goals)
Ronaldo broke the record for most goals in a single Champions League season with 17. He led Real Madrid to their long-awaited 10th title.
2014/15 – Neymar, Lionel Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo (10 goals)
A rare three-way tie featured the iconic trio of Neymar, Messi, and Ronaldo. Barcelona went on to win the tournament with MSN leading the charge.
2015/16 – Cristiano Ronaldo (16 goals)
Ronaldo was ruthless once again, finishing with 16 goals as Real Madrid won their 11th Champions League. His goals carried the team in key moments.
2016/17 – Cristiano Ronaldo (12 goals)
Another year, another title and Golden Boot for Ronaldo. He scored twice in the final against Juventus to cap off a dominant campaign.
2017/18 – Cristiano Ronaldo (15 goals)
In his final season at Real Madrid, Ronaldo led the scoring charts once more. His 15 goals included a spectacular bicycle kick against Juventus.
2018/19 – Lionel Messi (12 goals)
Messi reclaimed the Golden Boot with 12 goals, including two stunning performances against Manchester United. Barcelona were ultimately knocked out in the semis.
2019/20 – Robert Lewandowski (15 goals)
Lewandowski was unstoppable as Bayern Munich dominated the pandemic-hit season. His 15 goals powered the German giants to the trophy.
2020/21 – Erling Haaland (10 goals)
Haaland announced himself as Europe’s next big thing, scoring 10 goals for Borussia Dortmund. He was the top scorer despite BVB exiting in the quarters.
2021/22 – Karim Benzema (15 goals)
Benzema’s best-ever Champions League season saw him bag 15 goals, including hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea. He led Real Madrid to yet another title.
2022/23 – Erling Haaland (12 goals)
Now at Manchester City, Haaland topped the charts again with 12 goals. His presence helped City win their first-ever Champions League.
2023/24 – Kylian Mbappé & Harry Kane (8 goals)
Mbappé and Kane shared the Golden Boot in a tight race, each scoring eight times. Despite their efforts, neither player reached the final.
2024/25 – Raphinha & Serhou Guirassy (13 goals)
In a surprising finish, Raphinha and Guirassy both ended with 13 goals. Neither Barcelona nor Dortmund made the final, but their individual brilliance stood out.
