Can Anyone catch Ronaldo

Source: pointblanknews.com

Cristiano Ronaldo may have racked up a record-breaking group stage tally, but who will finish the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League as top scorer?

Ronaldo found the net nine times during Real Madrid CF's impressive Group B campaign, taking him beyond the previous best of eight, set by Ruud van Nistelrooy (2004/05), Filippo Inzaghi and Hernán Crespo (both 2002/03). Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimović equalled that total this season but sat out matchday six to head into the winter break one goal adrift of Ronaldo.

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Ronaldo, who came top of the pile last term – ending Lionel Messi's four-season hegemony – needs to reach 15 to surpass the campaign-best recorded by his FC Barcelona rival in 2011/12. Discount Messi at your peril, however, with the Argentina forward seemingly back on song after a brief absence through injury.

Scoring goals for fun domestically are Manchester City FC, who have the likes of Sergio Agüero and Álvaro Negredo pushing to catch Ronaldo, Ibrahimović and Messi. Beyond that, Club Atlético de Madrid will be looking to Diego Costa to maintain his fine form, while Ibrahimović's strike partner Edinson Cavani and Borussia Dortmund forward Robert Lewandowski could be seen as outside bets.