Top 10 Champions League Goal Scorers of All Time

The UEFA Champions League stands as the highest level of European club football, featuring elite clubs and iconic players since 1992. With the tournament expanding in the 2024-25 season to include more teams and matches, goal-scoring records are being tested like never before. Legendary figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema dominate the scoring charts, while rising stars like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé rapidly move up the ranks. Here’s a look at the top 10 highest goal scorers in Champions League history and their memorable achievements.

Top 10 Champions League Goal Scorers

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

10. Thierry Henry (France)

Thierry Henry, one of his generation's finest attackers, first made his mark in the Champions League with Monaco in 1997. Known for his explosive speed and goal-scoring ability, he scored twice in Monaco's 4-0 group stage win over Bayer Leverkusen in 1997-98. He later added 48 more goals for Arsenal and Barcelona combined. Henry played 112 games, scored 50 goals, and provided 26 assists while winning the Champions League once.

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

9. Erling Haaland (Norway)

Erling Haaland has emerged as a relentless scorer, leading Manchester City to their first-ever Champions League title in 2022-23 by netting 12 goals in 11 matches. Since his debut at 19 for Red Bull Salzburg where he scored a hat-trick against Genk, he has amassed 55 goals in 54 Champions League appearances. Haaland is known for breaking records quickly, including becoming the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals.

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

8. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)

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. He topped the competition's scoring charts three times but never won the trophy. He also contributed 18 assists during his European campaigns.

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

7. Thomas Müller (Germany)

Thomas Müller is often underrated despite his creativity and goal-scoring for Bayern Munich. Since his Champions League debut in 2009, he appeared 163 times, scoring 57 goals and assisting 34. He holds the record for most Champions League goals for a single club. Müller won the trophy twice with Bayern in 2013 and 2020 before moving to MLS in 2025.

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

6. Kylian Mbappé (France)

From scoring six goals in his first Champions League season to becoming the youngest player to reach double-digit goals at 18, Kylian Mbappé has 64 goals in 87 appearances across Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain, and Real Madrid. Though yet to win the trophy, Mbappé's five Champions League hat-tricks highlight his clinical nature. He won the 2024-25 European Golden Boot with Real Madrid.

• Appearances: 87
• Goals: 64
• Assists: 26
• Clubs: Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid
• UCL Titles: 0

5. Raúl González (Spain)

Before Cristiano Ronaldo’s dominance, Raúl was Real Madrid’s star striker and Champions League top scorer for two seasons. A product of Madrid’s academy, he tallied 71 goals in 142 appearances and helped Los Blancos win the trophy three times. Raúl also spent time with Schalke, contributing goals and experience.

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

4. Karim Benzema (France)

Following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from Real Madrid, Karim Benzema became the main goal threat. With 90 goals and 30 assists in 152 matches for Lyon and Real Madrid, Benzema secured five Champions League titles. His 15 goals in the 2021-22 campaign were crucial in Real Madrid’s triumph, earning him the Ballon d’Or.

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

3. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

Robert Lewandowski is the only player with two fastest Champions League hat-tricks. He scored 105 goals in 131 matches mainly with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, winning the trophy once in 2019-20. Now at Barcelona, he continues his scoring spree aiming to end the club's European drought.

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

2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi is a defining figure in Champions League history with 129 goals in 163 games for Barcelona and PSG. He won the competition four times and finished as top scorer in six seasons. Beyond Europe, Messi claimed every major trophy including the World Cup before moving to Inter Miami.

• Appearances: 163
• Goals: 129
• Assists: 40
• Clubs: Barcelona, PSG
• UCL Titles: 4

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

Cristiano Ronaldo leads the Champions League scoring charts with 140 goals and 42 assists in 183 appearances. His 67 knockout goals are the highest ever. Ronaldo won the golden boot seven times and helped Real Madrid to three consecutive titles. He also won the trophy with Manchester United, holding the record for most goals in a single season with 17.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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