The Champions League golden boot is one of the most coveted individual accolades every season, typically attracting the elite performers in Europe.
To be crowned as the leading goalscorer in the continent’s most prestigious club tournament is enough to mark a player out as a world-class operator, with Erling Haaland, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo the last four winners of the golden boot.
Here 101 Great Goals looks at odds and tips for the 2021/22 Champions League golden boot, from which players are favourites to lift the treasured prize and who could run them close.
Golden boot favourites
Robert Lewandowski is the favourite to claim the Champions League golden boot this season with odds of 4/7. The striker is currently on 9 goals and just one behind the leading scorer Sebastien Haller of Ajax. Bayern Munich face Group G runners up RB Salzburg. The Austrian champions conceded six goals in six games during the group stages so the Pole should be confident of adding to his tally in the Round of 16.
The surprise package of the Champions League group stage was Ajax whose attack was spearheaded by Sebastien Haller. The former West Ham man stole the show during the group stage as he netted 10 goals in six games to lead the way in the race for the golden boot. The Ivorian is now 5/2 to keep hold of the lead in the top scorer rankings. Ajax topped their group and will face Benfica in the Round of 16.
Mohamed Salah is 8/1 to close the gap on Haller and finish as the top scorer. The Egyptian forward is currently three goals behind the Ajax man with 7 goals to his name. However, Liverpool have a very tricky Round of 16 tie as they take on Italian champions Inter Milan.
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – DECEMBER 07: (BILD OUT) Sebastien Haller of Ajax Amsterdam Controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League group C match between AFC Ajax and Sporting CP at Amsterdam Arena on December 7, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by NESImages/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Golden boot challengers
It has been a tricky start to life in Paris for Lionel Messi. The Argentine has netted just seven times all season in all competitions. Five of those seven goals have come in the Champions League and the Balon d’Or faces a tough task in catching the players ahead of him. The PSG forward is 20/1 to claim the golden boot. The French league leaders take on Real Madrid in what should be a mouth-watering encounter.
Cristiano Ronaldo is decent value at 20/1 to win the golden boot, with six goals already to his name. However, Manchester United’s credentials to go deep into the competition are in serious question. The Red Devils must get past Atletico Madrid to advance in the competition. For Ronaldo, Atletico are a great rival of his, having netted a stunning 25 goals against them.
Real Madrid will desperately need Karim Benzema to be at his best in the Round of 16. The Spanish champions go head to head with fellow European heavyweights PSG. The Frenchman is currently on 5 goals and is 33/1 to win the golden boot.
VILLARREAL, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 23: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United celebrates with Marcus Rashford after scoring their side’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Villarreal CF and Manchester United at Estadio de la Ceramica on November 23, 2021 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Golden boot outsiders
With this potentially being Kylian Mbappe’s final season at the Parc Des Princes, he will be fired up to finally win them the Champions League as a parting gift. Although he will need to step up in the knockout stages following an underwhelming group stage campaign in which he netted just four times. The striker is at 40/1 to win the award.
Riyad Mahrez is at 50/1 to win the award. His importance for Manchester City in the Champions League has been crucial over recent seasons and he is again their leading scorer in the competition this term with five goals. Man City have a favourable tie in the Round of 16 as they face Sporting Lisbon and potentially a great chance for the Alergian to rack up a few goals.
Leroy Sane is great value to win the award at 100/1. After the group stages, the winger is sitting on 5 goals and he proved to be one of Bayern Munich’s best players. Bayern will fancy their chances of going far in the Champions League and face RB Salzburg in the next round.
VALENCIENNES, FRANCE – DECEMBER 19: Mohamed Lachaab of Entente Feignies-Aulnoye FC competes for the ball with Kylian Mbappe of Paris SG during the French Cup game between Entente Feignies-Aulnoye and PSG on December 19, 2021 in Valenciennes, France. (Photo by Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
