Top 10 All-Time Champions League Goal Scorers

The UEFA Champions League stands as the ultimate club competition in Europe, bringing together the continent's finest teams since 1992. The 2024–25 season introduced a new format with more teams and matches, creating fresh opportunities for players to challenge goal-scoring records. Legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema dominate the scoring charts, while rising stars such as Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappé are quickly making their mark.

This list celebrates the top 10 highest scorers in Champions League history, showcasing their memorable contributions on Europe's grandest stage.

Players With the Most Champions League Goals

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

Details of the Top Scorers

Known as one of his era's greatest forwards, Thierry Henry first scored in the Champions League with Monaco in 1997. Starting as a left winger, he impressed with speed and goal instinct, scoring twice in Monaco’s 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the 1997-98 group stage. His 50 goals came across Monaco, Arsenal, and Barcelona, earning him one Champions League title.

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

Erling Haaland has rapidly risen to become a dominant scorer, leading Manchester City to their first-ever Champions League victory in 2022-23, where he netted 12 goals in just 11 matches. Since debuting in Europe with Red Bull Salzburg at 19, Haaland has amassed 55 goals in 54 games, known for breaking scoring records and becoming the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals.

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

Renowned for sharp control and deadly finishing, Ruud van Nistelrooy scored 56 Champions League goals during spells with PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. He topped the competition’s scoring charts three times but never won the trophy.

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

Thomas Müller has quietly built an impressive Champions League record with Bayern Munich, scoring 57 goals in 163 appearances. Known for creativity and vision, he helped Bayern lift the European Cup twice before moving to Vancouver Whitecaps in 2025.

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

Kylian Mbappé burst onto the scene early, scoring 6 goals in his debut Champions League campaign. Now with 64 goals for Monaco, PSG, and Real Madrid, he’s yet to win the trophy despite coming close. At 27, he claimed the 2024-25 European Golden Boot and has recorded five Champions League hat-tricks.

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

Before Ronaldo’s rise at Real Madrid, Raúl González was the club’s star striker, netting 71 goals and winning the Champions League three times. A product of the Real Madrid academy, he led the tournament in scoring for two straight seasons.

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

After Ronaldo left Real Madrid, Karim Benzema became the team's main goal threat, scoring 90 Champions League goals. His standout 2021-22 season saw him net 15 goals, including crucial knockout performances. Benzema has five Champions League titles and earned the Ballon d'Or for that remarkable campaign.

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

Robert Lewandowski holds the record for two of the fastest Champions League hat-tricks. He scored 105 goals playing for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and now Barcelona. Lewandowski won his first Champions League in 2019-20 and aims to help Barcelona reclaim continental glory.

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

Lionel Messi is essential to this list, having scored 129 goals in 163 Champions League matches. The Argentine legend won four Champions League trophies mainly with Barcelona and earned numerous accolades, including the 2022 World Cup. Now at Inter Miami, Messi’s legacy in Europe remains unmatched.

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

Topping the charts is Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a record 140 goals in 183 Champions League games. Known for clutch performances, he scored 67 knockout-stage goals and won the golden boot seven times. Ronaldo helped Real Madrid secure three consecutive titles and added two more with Manchester United, holding the record for most goals in a single season (17).

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

FAQs

• Q: Who is the all-time top scorer in UEFA Champions League?A: Cristiano Ronaldo, with 140 goals.
• Q: Which active player leads in Champions League goals?A: Cristiano Ronaldo remains the highest-scoring active player.
• Q: How many players have surpassed 100 Champions League goals?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.