3 players who could challenge for the Golden Boot | 2019-20 UEFA Champions League

Lionel Messi was awarded the UEFA Champions League Golden Boot last time around and ended Cristiano Ronaldo's streak, having won the award three successive years before the Argentine. Both these talismanic players have dominated the award for the past twelve yards, with one or the other ending up as the competition's top scorer during that time-period.

Ronaldo and Messi were expected to battle it out again for the prestigious individual prize this season, though both of them have struggled for regular goals - with differing reasons.

As of now, it appears their goalscoring dominance is about to end so with that in mind, here's a look at three players who could challenge for the Champions League's Golden Boot this season:

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#3 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Salah in action against Genk during Liverpool's Group E fixture - he has three goals in four matches

Mohamed Salah has been a pivotal figure in Liverpool's recent success and is expected to be the key for the Reds as they aim to retain their European crown once again this season.

The Egyptian forward, who scored an early penalty during their 2-0 Final victory over Tottenham Hotspur in June, netteed five goals last term and will be eager to improve upon that tally this time around.

He hasn't reached the same dizzying heights as his debut campaign on Merseyside - netting 44 goals in 52 games - but the speedster continues to chip in with important goals, having already netted nine in 17 appearances across all competitiions this term. The 27-year-old has three in four Champions League matchday fixtures and with Liverpool expected to go deep again this term, could be a real challenger to claim the Golden Boot accolade next summer.

Also check out: Champions league top scorers -- UCL Schedule -- Overall standings

#2 Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Sterling wheels away to celebrate his strike during City's 1-1 away draw at Atalanta earlier this month

Having won back-to-back Premier League titles, the priority for Pep Guardiola's men is to challenge for the Champions League this time around and Raheem Sterling is expected to be pivotal for the Citizens if they hope to lift their first-ever UCL trophy next summer.

The Englishman has been a talismanic figure for City in recent seasons and has continued to score important goals under Pep, both domestically and in Europe. The 24-year-old winger has been in sensational goalscoring form among Europe's elite this term, managing five goals already after four matchdays - matching his tally from 18-19 in six fewer appearances.

Despite predominantly playing as a winger, his goalscoring return in recent seasons has continued to improve and there's no reason why he cannot challenge for the Champions League Golden Boot this term, etching his name in the history books.

#1 Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Lewandowksi wheels away to celebrate one of his two goals against Tottenham in October

There is no stopping Robert Lewandowski this season. The Polish hitman has been in exhilarating form infront of goal this term, netting 23 goals in 19 appearances for the Bavarians across all competitions - averaging more than a goal per game.

This tally includes six Champions League strikes, making him the second-highest scorer in this year's campaign thus far behind sensation Erling Braut Håland. He's now the fifth all-time leading goalscorer in the competition, with 59 goals in 84 appearances.

After enduring a disappointing campaign in Europe last time around, Bayern Munich will be determined to do better this time around and the 31-year-old marksman is expected to be a focal point in attack for the Bundesliga champions.

He has scored in all four of their group stage fixtures and should he continue this red-hot goalscoring form, there's no doubting he'll end up with the Golden Boot this season - where he'll also be hoping to lift the Champions League too, for the first time in his career.