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Top 10 All-Time UEFA Champions League Goal Scorers

The UEFA Champions League stands as the ultimate stage for Europe’s elite clubs and players since it began in 1992. The 2024–25 season introduced a new format, allowing more teams to compete, which means more matches and fresh opportunities for players to climb the goal-scoring charts. Icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema dominate the leaderboard, while newer stars such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé are quickly rising through the ranks. Below is a list celebrating the top 10 highest scorers in the competition's history.

Top 10 Players With Most Goals in UEFA Champions League

  • Rank: 10 Player: Thierry Henry Position: Forward Total UCL Goals: 50
  • Rank: 9 Player: Erling Haaland Position: Striker Total UCL Goals: 55
  • Rank: 8 Player: Ruud van Nistelrooy Position: Striker Total UCL Goals: 56
  • Rank: 7 Player: Thomas Müller Position: Attacking Midfielder Total UCL Goals: 57
  • Rank: 6 Player: Kylian Mbappé Position: Forward Total UCL Goals: 64
  • Rank: 5 Player: Raúl González Position: Forward Total UCL Goals: 71
  • Rank: 4 Player: Karim Benzema Position: Striker Total UCL Goals: 90
  • Rank: 3 Player: Robert Lewandowski Position: Striker Total UCL Goals: 105
  • Rank: 2 Player: Lionel Messi Position: Forward Total UCL Goals: 129
  • Rank: 1 Player: Cristiano Ronaldo Position: Forward Total UCL Goals: 140

Profiles of the Top Scorers

Thierry Henry made his mark as one of the most lethal attackers of his generation. Starting his Champions League journey with Monaco in 1997, he shined at Arsenal and Barcelona, tallying 50 goals across 112 appearances. Known for his speed and finishing, Henry remains Arsenal's top Champions League scorer. He won the tournament once during his career.

  • Apps: 112
  • Goals: 50
  • Assists: 26
  • Clubs: Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona
  • UCL Titles: 1

Erling Haaland has already carved a name for himself with a rapid rise in European football. After debuting in 2019 with Red Bull Salzburg and scoring a hat-trick, he has netted 55 goals in 54 Champions League matches, including leading Manchester City to their first title in 2023. At just 24, his record-breaking pace hints at many more records ahead.

  • Apps: 54
  • Goals: 55
  • Assists: 8
  • Clubs: Salzburg, Dortmund, Manchester City
  • UCL Titles: 1

Ruud van Nistelrooy was a striking force known for his sharp control and finishing during his time with PSV, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. Despite never winning the Champions League, he scored 56 goals in 73 matches, finishing as top scorer three times.

  • Apps: 73
  • Goals: 56
  • Assists: 18
  • Clubs: PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Real Madrid
  • UCL Titles: 0

Thomas Müller, often underrated, delivered consistently for Bayern Munich over many seasons, scoring 57 goals in 163 Champions League appearances. His creativity and vision helped Bayern claim the European crown twice. In 2025, he moved to Vancouver Whitecaps, closing a remarkable chapter in Europe.

  • Apps: 163
  • Goals: 57
  • Assists: 34
  • Clubs: Bayern Munich
  • UCL Titles: 2

Kylian Mbappé has been smashing records from a young age, scoring 64 goals in 87 Champions League games for Monaco, PSG, and now Real Madrid. Despite no Champions League titles yet, he has five hat-tricks to his name and earned the 2024-25 European Golden Boot for his goal-scoring prowess.

  • Apps: 87
  • Goals: 64
  • Assists: 26
  • Clubs: Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid
  • UCL Titles: 0

Before Ronaldo dominated Real Madrid, Raúl was the club’s star striker. A product of their academy, he scored 71 goals in 142 Champions League games and won the tournament three times. He was top scorer for two consecutive seasons around 2000, remembered as one of Spain’s finest forwards.

  • Apps: 142
  • Goals: 71
  • Assists: 29
  • Clubs: Real Madrid, Schalke
  • UCL Titles: 3

Karim Benzema stepped up after Ronaldo left Real Madrid, scoring 90 goals in 152 appearances. His 15 goals during the 2021-22 campaign were pivotal to Madrid’s Champions League triumph. Benzema also won the Ballon d’Or that season, cementing his status as a great goal scorer and clutch performer.

  • Apps: 152
  • Goals: 90
  • Assists: 30
  • Clubs: Lyon, Real Madrid
  • UCL Titles: 5

Lewandowski stands out for his clinical finishing, holding two fastest Champions League hat-tricks and scoring 105 goals in 131 appearances. His 15 goals led Bayern Munich to the 2020 title. Now with Barcelona, he continues aiming to help end their continental drought.

  • Apps: 131
  • Goals: 105
  • Assists: 29
  • Clubs: Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona
  • UCL Titles: 1

Messi’s Champions League record is legendary: 129 goals in 163 games for Barcelona and PSG. The 2022 World Cup winner has six seasons as the top scorer and won four Champions League titles. His vision, dribbling, and goal-scoring make him one of football’s all-time greats.

  • Apps: 163
  • Goals: 129
  • Assists: 40
  • Clubs: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain
  • UCL Titles: 4

At the top sits Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored an unmatched 140 goals in 183 Champions League matches. He boasts 42 assists and holds the record for most goals in knockout stages. A seven-time top scorer, Ronaldo won five Champions League titles across Manchester United and Real Madrid, setting the record for most goals in a single season (17).

  • Apps: 183
  • Goals: 140
  • Assists: 42
  • Clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus
  • UCL Titles: 5

FAQs

  • Who is the all-time top scorer in UEFA Champions League?Cristiano Ronaldo leads with 140 goals.
  • Which active player has the most Champions League goals?Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-scoring active player.
  • How many players have scored over 100 Champions League goals?Only three players have surpassed 100 goals.
  • Who is the fastest-rising scorer in Champions League history?Erling Haaland reached 55 goals in just 54 matches.

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