Top 10 All-Time UEFA Champions League Goal Scorers

Top 10 All-Time UEFA Champions League Goal Scorers

The UEFA Champions League stands as the ultimate contest in European club football, pitting the continent’s best teams and players against each other since 1992. The recent 2024–25 season introduced an expanded format, allowing more clubs to compete and creating new opportunities for goal-scoring records to be broken. Legendary figures like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema dominate the all-time charts, while rising stars such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé are quickly moving up the ranks. This overview highlights the top 10 highest scorers in the history of the Champions League.

All-Time Leading Scorers in UEFA Champions League

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

Profiles of the Top Scorers

One of the finest attackers of his generation, Thierry Henry rose to fame with Arsenal and France. His Champions League journey began with Monaco in 1997, where he scored twice in a memorable 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Known for his speed and finishing, Henry scored 50 goals in 112 appearances across Monaco, Arsenal, and Barcelona, securing one Champions League title during his career.

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

Erling Haaland is one of the most prolific scorers in recent memory. After making his European debut at 19 with Red Bull Salzburg, scoring a hat-trick in a 6-2 win over Genk, he continued to set records. With 55 goals in 54 Champions League matches representing Salzburg, Dortmund, and Manchester City, he helped City claim their first-ever UCL title in 2022-23, finishing as top scorer with 12 goals in 11 games.

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

Known for his sharp finishing and movement, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored 56 goals in 73 Champions League appearances for PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. Despite never winning the tournament, he was top scorer in three editions and left a lasting impression as one of Manchester United’s best strikers.

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

Thomas Müller is often underrated but has been vital for Bayern Munich. Since 2009, he amassed 57 goals and 34 assists in 163 Champions League appearances, the highest number of goals for a single club in this competition. Müller lifted the trophy twice with Bayern in 2013 and 2020 before moving to Vancouver Whitecaps in 2025.

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

Kylian Mbappé broke onto the scene as a teenager, becoming the youngest player to score double-digit Champions League goals. Playing for Monaco, PSG, and now Real Madrid, he has 64 goals in 87 appearances. Though yet to win the Champions League, he claimed the 2024-25 European Golden Boot and recorded five UCL hat-tricks.

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

Before Cristiano Ronaldo’s era at Real Madrid, Raúl González was the club’s leading star. Coming from Real Madrid's academy, Raúl scored 71 goals in 142 Champions League matches and won the trophy three times. He was top scorer in two consecutive seasons (1999-00 and 2000-01), firmly establishing himself as one of the club’s legends.

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

After Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid, Karim Benzema took charge of scoring duties. He notched 90 goals and 30 assists in 152 Champions League appearances for Lyon and Real Madrid, winning five titles. His standout 2021-22 season earned him the Ballon d’Or as he led Madrid to the trophy with 15 goals, including decisive knockout performances.

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

Robert Lewandowski is famed for his clinical finishing, holding the record for two fastest Champions League hat-tricks. Scoring 105 goals in 131 appearances for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, he won the Champions League once with Bayern in 2019-20. Now at Barcelona, Lewandowski aims to bring them back to European glory.

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

The legendary Lionel Messi has tallied 129 goals in 163 Champions League games with Barcelona and PSG. Winner of every major trophy including the 2022 World Cup, Messi topped the Champions League scoring charts six times. Now playing in Miami, his European legacy remains immense.

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

Cristiano Ronaldo holds the all-time Champions League goal record with 140 goals in 183 appearances for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Notably, 67 goals came in knockout rounds, a competition record. He won five Champions League titles and secured seven Golden Boots, including a record 17 goals in one season.

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

FAQs

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