Neymar finished level with Messi and Ronaldo on 10 goals in 2015 but nobody other than the 'big two' has claimed the prize outright since Kaka in 2007
Sergio Aguero
Sergio Aguero has accumulated just two Champions League goals so far this season but it's worth pointing out that he only featured in three group games.
So, while he has a lot of ground to make up in the race for the tournament's Golden Boot, the Argentine could still feature in a further seven matches if Manchester City were to reach the final for the first time.
Getting past Real Madrid in the last 16 will be far from straightforward, particularly for a club still reeling from the news that they have been banned from the next two editions of the Champions League.
However, anything is possible with an on-song Aguero, who, rather ominously, has scored seven goals in his last four Premier League appearances.
AdvertisementKarim Benzema
Karim Benzema has flourished since Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Juventus in 2018.
The centre forward, who did so much work for the Portuguese, is clearly revelling in the fact that he has now been charged with leading the Blancos attack – a job he is carrying out to excellent effect.
The former France international struck 30 times in all competitions last season and he's already racked up 18 goals this term.
Madrid's recent good form has owed much to their defensive excellence but if the Liga leaders are to go deep in the Champions League, one can be sure that Benzema will play a pivotal part.
He got four goals in the group stage; more should follow in the knockout rounds, given the 32-year-old is now the focal point of Zinedine Zidane's attack.
Depo PhotosSerge Gnabry
Serge Gnabry has only scored in one game in this season's Champions League yet he has to be regarded as a contender to finish as the tournament's top scorer as he accounted for four of Bayern Munich's seven goals in their rout of Tottenham on matchday two.
Of course, the winger's primary role is to create chances for centre forward Robert Lewandowski but the 24-year-old is presently enjoying the most prolific season of his young career, having struck 14 times in 28 appearances.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern will face a fragile Chelsea side in the last 16 and one wouldn't bet against former Arsenal man Gnabry enjoying another fruitful return to London to propel him up the goalscorers' chart.
Getty ImagesErling Haaland
Erling Haaland's hopes of finishing as top scorer in his first season in the Champions League looked over after Red Bull Salzburg's group-stage elimination.
However, the Norwegian forward was snapped up by Borussia Dortmund during the January transfer window, giving him a chance to add to his fantastic tally of eight goals from his first six appearances.
Lucien Favre's side have a tough draw in the last 16, against Paris Saint-Germain, but you wouldn't bet against Haaland netting against the Ligue 1 leaders, given he's already struck a frankly ridiculous nine times in his first six outings for Dortmund.