Top 10 Highest Scorers in UEFA Champions League History

Explore the top 10 UEFA Champions League scorers, including Ronaldo, Messi, and Mbappe. Discover their achievements and records on Europe’s grandest stage.

The UEFA Champions League stands as the culmination of European football; its showcase is the clubs and the players, fighting for glory. Through the years, it has delivered marvelous moments and produced phenomenal players, some of the most prolific goal-scorers in the history of the game. But they haven't just scored goals; they've made it a habit to shine on Europe's grandest stage.

In this blog, we look closely at the top 10 all-time scorers in the Annals of UEFA Champions League history; they will be introduced to their accolades and how they climbed the ladder to legendary status.

10. Zlatan Ibrahimovic- 48 Goals

A tally of 48 goals from a total of 121 matches, that is what made this Swedish superstar a global phenomenon after playing for top European clubs such as Barcelona, PSG, and, most importantly for him, AC Milan. Despite being a consistent goal-scorer over the years, he cannot boast of ever having won a single Champions League trophy, something which does not go down well in his otherwise stellar career.

9. Kylian Mbappe - 49 Goals

At the age of only 25, Mbappe has already amassed a combined total of 49 from only 77 appearances. Yet on fire with Monaco in the Champions League, the French lad has continued the fire for PSG. On course to peak with Real Madrid, Mbappe is ready and confident to climb this list with his skills and goals.

8. Thierry Henry - 50 Goals

The incredible Frenchman scored 50 for Arsenal, Barcelona, and AS Monaco in no fewer than 112 appearances. In 2009, Henry won the Champions League with Barcelona as part of the historic sextuple-winning squad. 

7. Thomas Muller - 54 Goals

Muller holds all-time greatness at Bayern Munich with 54 goals. He has won the Champions League twice in 2013 and 2020 and is an icon in the Bavarian giants' books of history because of the intelligence and versatility he has been showcasing on the field. 

6. Ruud van Nistelrooy - 56 Goals 

He became a prolific scorer at PSV, Manchester United, and Real Madrid, scoring 56 goals in just 73 games. Although their experience with the Champions League trophy ended when Van Nistelrooy was at PSV, he is remembered for what proved to be much in scoring even without it.

Top 5 UEFA Champions League Scorers

5. Raul Gonzalez 

Raul has netted 71 Goals. The Real Madrid great has scored 71 goals most of them for Los Blancos and has been a victor in the Champions League three times. Raul was the first player to go on to have 100 appearances in the competition and still remains the emblem of loyalty and consistency.

4. Karim Benzema 

Benzema too scored 90 Goals. Benzema, now with Al Ittihad, was vital in Real Madrid's success. All of his memorable performances account for the 90 goals that have earned him four Champions League titles.

3. Robert Lewandowski - 101 Goals. 

He is another most constant goal scorers in modern football. He reached 101 goals in a completely dominant manner for the clubs Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and for now, Barcelona. He won the Champions League with Bayern in 2020.

2. Lionel Messi – 129 Goals

Now, Lionel Messi is a real magician in the goal scoring. He had brought Barcelona four Champions League titles, and some of his dastic activities include scoring more than 130 goals in 160 matches and scoring five goals within a match.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo – 140 Goals

Honored to receive this award from @ChampionsLeague for being the all-time top scorer of the competition. Grateful for all the support along the way! Thank you! pic.twitter.com/2FqexL3cIr

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) August 29, 2024

 

Cristiano Ronaldo is the king of the Champions League and holds nearly all records in the competition. The Portuguese star tied from top score up to so many hat-tricks (140 goals) synonymous with Europe. Despite his five titles with Manchester United and Real Madrid, he will always be remembered as the greatest player in tournament history.

These are the footballers whose records in this biggest European stage end up seeping into their very being and yet remain immortal and indelible in the annals of football history. The engagement where legends take birth, the Champions League, is where these goal scorers take up their action magic.

And now comes the next Champions League Season, and the voice has turned into a question: who will break Ronaldo's record? Will Messi score one more? Or is there a chance for Mbappe? Only then will we know.