The 2021 takeover of Newcastle United ignited hopes of eventually competing with giants such as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich on the European stage, following years spent far from the continent’s elite.
In practice, however, financial fair play and PSR regulations have forced Newcastle to adopt a more measured approach as they steadily climb toward matching the world’s strongest clubs.
The progress has still been remarkable. Just five years ago, the club were entrenched in Premier League relegation battles.
Now they have reached the Champions League last 16 for the first time, added silverware to their cabinet and carry ambitions that rival any side in Europe.
Newcastle’s performances among Europe’s top teams this season have shown they are a genuine threat. Although they may be viewed as outsiders to go much further, few teams will relish a trip to St James’ Park.
A major factor behind their success has been their scoring power in the competition. No team has found the net more often than Newcastle’s 26 goals, with Paris Saint-Germain level at the top.
After a dominant 9-3 aggregate play-off victory over Qarabag, Newcastle now lead the scoring charts, ahead of Real Madrid (24), Atletico Madrid (24) and Arsenal (23).
Individually, their numbers are just as striking. Anthony Gordon’s 10 goals leave him behind only Real Madrid and France star Kylian Mbappe, while Newcastle also lead the way in overall goal contributions.
Gordon and teammate Harvey Barnes have combined for 20 goals and assists, bettered only by the Madrid duo Mbappe and Vinicius Junior with 21.
Barnes has scored five Champions League goals and provided three assists, while Gordon has added two assists to his impressive goal tally.
Barnes now finds himself among elite company alongside Harry Kane, Fermin Lopez and Dominik Szoboszlai. Only Victor Osimhen and Marcus Rashford rank above the Newcastle winger, behind Mbappe and Gordon.
All of this sets Newcastle up well for the knockout rounds, with the club learning their draw this morning.
Either Chelsea or Barcelona await next, while Liverpool, Tottenham or Atletico Madrid could be possible quarter-final opponents.
There is no sense of overconfidence inside St James’ Park, but regardless of the draw, Newcastle possess the attacking quality to trouble any opponent.
2025-26 Champions League goal involvements
- 14 Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
- 12 Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
- 9 Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)
- 9 Marcus Rashford (Barcelona)
- 8 Harvey Barnes (Newcastle United)
- 8 Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
- 8 Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)
- 8 Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)
- 8 Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool)
- 8 Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
