Top goal scorers of 2025: Messi surpasses Ronaldo, Mbappe reigns supreme!

The year 2025 ended with a dynamic football landscape, highlighting the rise of major clubs and a worldwide top scorer contest showcasing many forwards who shook up all tournaments.

In the football world, 2025 witnessed remarkable changes. Liverpool clinched the Premier League title early but then faltered during their title defense. Barcelona, inspired by young talent Lamine Yamal, secured a domestic treble. Paris Saint-Germain lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time in their history, while Ousmane Dembélé claimed the Ballon d'Or. Across the Atlantic, Inter Miami and Lionel Messi won the MLS Cup.

On the scoring front, global football was equally vibrant. Many forwards consistently grabbed media attention with astonishing goal tallies, week after week.

So, who were the “top bombers” in the world’s leading leagues in 2025? Let’s take a look.

Leading scorers of 2025

Focusing solely on domestic league goals, no player scored more than Kylian Mbappé in 2025. The French star netted 39 times for Real Madrid in La Liga.

Close behind was Harry Kane of Bayern Munich with 31 goals, alongside Messi who scored 29 times for Inter Miami.

A surprising name is Vangelis Pavlidis from Benfica. The Greek forward scored 29 goals in Primeira Liga, matching Messi’s tally and proving himself as one of Europe’s most underrated yet efficient strikers.

Just after Pavlidis is Cristiano Ronaldo. With 3 goals in his last two appearances of the year, the Portuguese superstar finished 2025 with 28 goals for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.

Erling Haaland followed with 27 goals for Manchester City, including 19 scored in the 2025/26 season.

Viktor Gyökeres totaled 26 goals, 21 for Sporting CP and 5 for Arsenal. Ivan Toney also reached 26 goals, netting for Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.

In the chasing pack, Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC and Sam Surridge from Nashville SC each scored 24 goals, while Victor Osimhen ended the year with 23 goals for Galatasaray.