Top 5 UEFA Champions League Scorers of All-Time

The UEFA Champions League has been around since 1955, and with so many players and teams having passed through the tournament, many have been able to leave a lasting legacy on it forever. In the sport’s history, we’ve witnessed players on a level beyond that of others achieving feats like scoring 2+ goals a game.

In this article, we’ll highlight five of the UEFA Champions League’s top goal scorers of all time, including who they were, what teams they played for, what their tally is, and if they can still play in the Champions League.

5. Raul Gonzalez – 71 goals

Starting the list of highest-scoring tallies in the Champions League for any single player is former Real Madrid and Spanish player Raul Gonzalez. In his 2 seasons for the former Bundesliga’s Schalke FC and 16 with Real Madrid, Gonzalez netted 71 goals in the tournament alone, along with three Champions League trophies for Madrid.

While Gonzalez was far from reaching a grand 100+ goals, 71 is still very impressive, to say the least. He is currently retired and manages Real Madrid Castilla (not Real Madrid FC), only allowing the potential for players like Erling Haaland (49+ goals) and Kylian Mbappe (55+ goals) to surpass his stunning goalscoring record.

4. Karim Benzema – 90 goals

Another former Real Madrid player who originated from Ligue 1’s Lyon is the famous Frenchman, Karim Benzema, with 90 total goals in his Champions League career. Having scored the majority of his goals as the center forward for Real Madrid while paired with the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on either side, Karim Benzema was one of the deadliest finishers the game had ever seen and has five Champions League trophies to his name.

Currently, the French striker still plays professionally for Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League, although he can no longer qualify for the European tournament.

3. Robert Lewandowski – 103 goals

Up next is none other than FC Barcelona and former Bayern Munich’s number #9, Robert Lewandowski, with a whopping 103 goals in his Champions League career. The 36-year-old Polish striker is the only player on this list still going strong in adding to his tally of Champions League goals.

Lewandowski may only have one Champions League trophy to his name with Bayern Munich (although that could change with Barcelona this season), but that won’t stop him from launching goals into the back of the net as he will continue to take on the record of Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before retiring.

2. Lionel Messi – 129 goals

When it comes to scoring goals, Barcelona’s (and PSG’s) Lionel Messi was a machine in the UEFA Champions League tournament with 129 goals in his career. He is the only player with a close goal-scoring record in the Champions League to Cristiano Ronaldo, and while they both beat each other in goal-scoring statistics in different leagues and competitions, Ronaldo has 11 more goals than the Argentine legend with 23 more games played.

However, Messi won’t mind, as he’s won the Champions League on four separate occasions and will now most likely see out the rest of his career with the MLS’s Inter Miami FC.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 140 goals

Finally, the #1 goal scorer in the Champions League who still holds the top record is Cristiano Ronaldo, with 140 goals scored while playing on the wing for both Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Portugal’s goal-scoring legend has held the record since September 2015 after passing the lead back and forth with Messi. When it comes to the king of Champions Leagues, you may as well give Cristiano Ronaldo this title, as he’s won five separate trophies and maintained his top goal-scoring spot, which will be hard to break. Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, so his Champions League days are likely over.