The 2025-26 Champions League is in full swing with PSG and Barça as favorites. Mbappé leads scorers, while Frankfurt and Qarabag have stunned giants. Here’s the latest on the race to Budapest’s May 30 final.
Football fans across Europe and beyond are glued to their screens as the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League league phase delivers drama, dominance, and delightful upsets. With matches spanning September 2025 to January 2026 and the final set for Budapest’s Puskás Aréna, the competition has already lived up to its “elite of Europe” billing.
Mbappé vs. Kane: Golden Boot Race Ignites Early
The scoring charts are already heating up, and it’s a two-man show at the top—for now. PSG’s Kylian Mbappé has been nothing short of sensational, netting 12 goals in just 8 appearances to lead the pack . His penalty double to lift Real Madrid over Marseille in Matchday 1 was a masterclass in clutch finishing , but he’s not alone.
Bayern’s Harry Kane is breathing down his neck with 11 goals, including a hat-trick that demolished Pafos 5-1 . “This is the duel we dreamed of,” fans reacted on Twitter, with #MbappéKaneBattle trending after both scored in Matchday 3. Don’t sleep on Erling Haaland, though—Man City’s star has 9 goals and is just finding his rhythm.
Upsets Galore: Smaller Clubs Punch Above Weight
The Champions League’s magic lies in its ability to humble giants, and this season hasn’t disappointed. Frankfurt pulled off the shock of the early stages, crushing Galatasaray 5-1 at home despite being outspent by the Turkish side 3-to-1 . The 50,000 fans at Deutsche Bank Park turned the stadium into a cauldron, proving why supporters are called the “12th man.”
Qarabag delivered another stunner, coming back from 2-0 down to beat Benfica 3-2 in Lisbon . Meanwhile, Belgian underdogs Union Saint-Gilloise picked up their first-ever Champions League win by topping PSV Eindhoven 3-1 . “Money can’t buy heart,” one Facebook user commented—and these clubs are proving it.
Title Favorites: PSG and Barça Lead the Pack
Bookmakers have already anointed their front-runners, with PSG and Barcelona tied as favorites . PSG’s 2-1 win over Barça at the Camp Nou in Matchday 2 was a statement win for the defending champions, while Barça’s unbeaten La Liga form has fans optimistic .
But Liverpool and Arsenal aren’t far behind. Opta’s 10,000 simulations give Liverpool a 20.4%夺冠 chance, boosted by their 3.11亿欧元 summer spend . Arsenal, meanwhile, has looked clinical—their 2-0 win over Olympiacos extended their perfect start . Real Madrid and Man City, perennially in the mix, are lurking, with Madrid’s 5-0 rout of Kairat Almaty a reminder of their pedigree .
Looking Ahead: Can Favorites Hold On?
The league phase still has months to go, but key fixtures loom large. Real Madrid vs. Man City on January 21 is already being called a “final preview,” while Paris vs. Newcastle on January 28 will test the French side’s depth . For underdogs like Frankfurt and Qarabag, staying consistent will be tough—but that’s what makes the Champions League unmissable.
One thing’s clear: This season won’t lack drama. Whether you’re backing a giant or an underdog, mark your calendar for May 30, 2026—Budapest is set for a night to remember.