The UEFA Champions League is considered the toughest and most prestigious club competition in world football. Since the tournament adopted its modern format in 1992, it has brought together the best clubs from Europe’s strongest leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Every season, the Champions League delivers high-pressure matches, dramatic moments, and unforgettable goals on the biggest stage.
Scoring goals in this competition is not easy. Defenders are world-class, tactics are highly organized, and every mistake is punished. That is why players who have recorded the most goals in UEFA Champions League history are regarded as true football legends. Their consistency across many seasons proves their quality, mentality, and ability to perform when it matters most.
With the expanded format starting from the 2024–25 season, players now have more matches and more opportunities to score. Still, reaching the top of the most goals in UEFA Champions League list requires years of elite performances.
Table of Contents
List of 10 Players with Most Goals in UEFA Champions League
10. Thierry Henry – France
Thierry Henry is widely regarded as one of the most stylish and intelligent forwards in football history. His Champions League journey began with AS Monaco, where his pace and movement quickly caught attention. Even though he started his career as a winger, Henry’s goal-scoring instincts soon made him a reliable striker in European football.
His best Champions League years came at Arsenal, where he was the main attacking player for nearly a decade. Henry often carried the team in difficult matches, scoring important goals against top European opponents. Although Arsenal never won the competition, Henry’s performances ensured he remained among players with the most goals in UEFA Champions League during his era.
Later, at Barcelona, Henry added more goals and finally won the Champions League in 2009. His total of 50 goals might look modest compared to modern numbers, but considering the teams he played for and the era he competed in, his record remains special in the most goals in UEFA Champions League rankings.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 112 | 50 | 26 | Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona |
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9. Erling Haaland – Norway
Erling Haaland has rewritten goal-scoring rules since his Champions League debut. He announced himself to the football world by scoring a hat-trick for Red Bull Salzburg in his very first match. From that moment, it became clear that he was destined to challenge the most goals in UEFA Champions League records.
Haaland’s combination of strength, speed, and clinical finishing makes him one of the most dangerous strikers ever seen at such a young age. At Borussia Dortmund, he consistently scored against elite clubs, often keeping his team competitive on his own. His move to Manchester City elevated his game even further.
In the 2022–23 season, Haaland played a key role in helping Manchester City win their first Champions League title. With more than a goal per game, his rise in the most goals in UEFA Champions League list has been historic. Given his age, he is expected to climb much higher in the coming years.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 54 | 55 | 8 | Salzburg, Dortmund, Manchester City |
8. Ruud van Nistelrooy – Netherlands
Ruud van Nistelrooy was one of the most clinical strikers football has ever produced. He did not rely on pace or tricks but instead focused on positioning and perfect timing inside the box. This approach helped him become one of the most efficient players in the most goals in UEFA Champions League rankings.
During his time at Manchester United, Van Nistelrooy was a constant scoring threat in Europe. He finished as the Champions League top scorer three times, showing his ability to deliver across different seasons. Later, at Real Madrid, he continued scoring despite injuries affecting his playing time.
Although he never won the Champions League trophy, his goal record speaks for itself. His 56 goals place him firmly among players with the most goals in UEFA Champions League, proving that consistency can be as valuable as silverware.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 73 | 56 | 18 | PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid |
7. Thomas Müller – Germany
Thomas Müller is one of the most unique players in football history. Known for his intelligence and movement rather than technical flair, Müller mastered the art of finding space. This quality made him extremely effective in contributing to the most goals in UEFA Champions League list.
Spending his entire Champions League career with Bayern Munich, Müller played a key role in multiple successful campaigns. He consistently scored important goals in knockout matches, helping Bayern win the competition in 2013 and 2020.
With over 160 appearances, Müller’s longevity and consistency are remarkable. His place among players with the most goals in UEFA Champions League is proof that football intelligence can be just as important as physical ability.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 163 | 57 | 34 | Bayern Munich |
6. Kylian Mbappé – France
Kylian Mbappé made his Champions League impact at a very young age with AS Monaco. His speed, confidence, and finishing ability helped Monaco reach the semi-finals in 2017. From that point, he was seen as a future leader in the most goals in UEFA Champions League race.
At Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappé became the main attacking force in Europe. He scored regularly against top teams and broke several age-related records. His performances often kept PSG competitive in difficult knockout matches.
Even without a Champions League title so far, Mbappé’s goal tally continues to grow rapidly. At such a young age, his position in the most goals in UEFA Champions League rankings is already impressive.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 87 | 64 | 26 | Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid |
5. Raúl González – Spain
Raúl González was the original Champions League icon of Real Madrid before the Cristiano Ronaldo era. Calm, intelligent, and consistent, Raúl led Madrid through one of their most successful periods in Europe.
He helped Real Madrid win the Champions League three times and was once the all-time leader in the most goals in UEFA Champions League list. His leadership and ability to score crucial goals made him a symbol of European success.
Even after leaving Real Madrid, Raúl continued to score in the competition with Schalke. His legacy remains strong among players with the most goals in UEFA Champions League.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 142 | 71 | 29 | Real Madrid, Schalke |
4. Karim Benzema – France
Karim Benzema’s Champions League career reached its peak after Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid. Taking on the role of leader, Benzema delivered one of the greatest individual Champions League campaigns in history.
In the 2021–22 season, he scored decisive goals against elite teams, leading Real Madrid to another title. His performances pushed him high in the most goals in UEFA Champions League rankings and earned him the Ballon d’Or.
Benzema’s ability to perform under pressure and his consistency across many seasons make him one of the most complete forwards in Champions League history.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 152 | 90 | 30 | Lyon, Real Madrid |
3. Robert Lewandowski – Poland
Robert Lewandowski is one of the most consistent strikers of the modern era. His strength, finishing, and movement helped him score goals season after season in Europe.
His best Champions League season came in 2019–20, when he helped Bayern Munich win the title while scoring 15 goals. That campaign significantly boosted his position in the most goals in UEFA Champions League list.
With over 100 goals, Lewandowski joined an elite group of players who dominated the competition for years.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 131 | 105 | 29 | Dortmund, Bayern, Barcelona |
2. Lionel Messi – Argentina
Lionel Messi’s Champions League journey is filled with magical moments. His dribbling, vision, and finishing ability made him one of the most dangerous players in European football history.
Messi won the competition four times with Barcelona and finished as top scorer multiple times. His creativity and goal-scoring placed him among players with the most goals in UEFA Champions League for over a decade.
Even after leaving Barcelona, his impact on Champions League history remains unmatched.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 163 | 129 | 40 | Barcelona, PSG |
1. Cristiano Ronaldo – Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time leader in the most goals in UEFA Champions League. Known for his athleticism, determination, and big-game mentality, Ronaldo consistently delivered when it mattered most.
He won the Champions League five times and finished as the tournament’s top scorer seven times. Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals in a single season, scoring 17 in 2013–14. His ability to perform in knockout matches, finals, and against top teams sets him apart from every other player.
With 140 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the undisputed king of the most goals in UEFA Champions League rankings.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs |
| 183 | 140 | 42 | Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus |
FAQs
1. Who has scored the most goals in UEFA Champions League history?
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in UEFA Champions League with 140 goals. He achieved this while playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His ability to score in crucial matches helped him maintain this record.
2. Who is the youngest player to reach the top goal scorers in the Champions League?
Kylian Mbappé is among the youngest players to climb the most goals in UEFA Champions League list. He started scoring regularly as a teenager with AS Monaco and continued his streak with Paris Saint-Germain, making him one of the youngest elite scorers in Europe.
3. Has anyone scored 100+ goals in the Champions League?
Yes, only a few players have scored over 100 goals in the Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo (140), Lionel Messi (129), and Robert Lewandowski (105) are part of this elite group of players with the most goals in UEFA Champions League.
4. Does scoring the most goals guarantee winning the Champions League?
Not always. Some top scorers like Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy scored many goals but never won the Champions League. Scoring the most goals in UEFA Champions League shows individual brilliance, but winning the trophy also depends on the team’s overall performance.