The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club competition in world football. Every season, the best teams and players compete at the highest level, where even a single goal can change history. Scoring consistently in this tournament is extremely difficult because of strong defenses, tactical battles, and immense pressure. Only a few legendary players have managed to build their careers around the most goals in UEFA champions league.
Since the modern format began in 1992, the competition has seen many great attackers, but only a handful have reached extraordinary numbers. These players delivered not only goals but also match-winning moments in crucial games. This list ranks the top 10 players with the most goals in UEFA champions league.
Table of Contents
List of 10 Players with Most Goals in UEFA Champions League
10. Thierry Henry (France)
Thierry Henry was one of the most elegant forwards in football history, known for his pace and intelligent finishing. He started his Champions League career with AS Monaco, where he showed early signs of his attacking quality. After moving to Arsenal, Henry became the club’s main goal threat in European competitions. He regularly scored against top teams despite Arsenal never winning the tournament during his prime years. Henry often played from the left side but still managed to score consistently. His movement and calm finishing made him effective in big matches. Later, his move to Barcelona helped him finally win the Champions League in 2009. By the end of his career, he had earned a place among players with the most goals in UEFA champions league.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 112 | 50 | 26 | Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona |
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9. Erling Haaland (Norway)
Erling Haaland is the youngest player on this list, yet his Champions League impact has been extraordinary. He made his debut with Red Bull Salzburg and scored a hat-trick in his very first match. His physical strength and explosive pace immediately caught global attention. After joining Borussia Dortmund, his goal scoring continued at an incredible rate. His move to Manchester City took his performances to another level. Haaland played a key role in City’s first Champions League title. What makes his record special is his goals-per-game ratio. He is already challenging the most goals in UEFA champions league records at a historic speed.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 54 | 55 | 8 | Salzburg, Dortmund, Manchester City |
8. Ruud van Nistelrooy (Netherlands)
Ruud van Nistelrooy was a classic penalty-box striker with incredible finishing ability. He did not rely on skills or speed but on perfect positioning. His Champions League journey included spells with PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. At Manchester United, he was one of the most reliable goal scorers in Europe. Van Nistelrooy scored regularly in group stages and knockout rounds. He finished as the competition’s top scorer in multiple seasons. Despite never winning the Champions League, his impact was undeniable. His goal tally places him among players with the most goals in UEFA champions league.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 73 | 56 | 18 | PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid |
7. Thomas Müller (Germany)
Thomas Müller is known for his intelligence and unique movement rather than traditional striker skills. He spent his entire Champions League career with Bayern Munich. Müller made his debut in the competition at a young age and quickly became important. His ability to find space helped him score many crucial goals. He played a major role in Bayern’s Champions League wins in 2013 and 2020. Many of his goals came in high-pressure knockout matches. Müller has remained consistent for more than a decade. His long-term reliability places him among players with the most goals in UEFA champions league.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 163 | 57 | 34 | Bayern Munich |
6. Kylian Mbappé (France)
Kylian Mbappé became a Champions League star at a very young age. He first impressed while playing for AS Monaco during their 2017 semi-final run. His speed and dribbling made him difficult to defend. After joining Paris Saint-Germain, he continued scoring against top European teams. Mbappé delivered several big-match performances in knockout stages. Later, his move to Real Madrid increased his influence even more. He is known for scoring in crucial moments. With many years ahead, he is climbing the list of most goals in UEFA champions league rapidly.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 87 | 64 | 26 | Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid |
5. Raúl González (Spain)
Raúl González was Real Madrid’s Champions League icon before the modern era. He came through the club’s academy and became a leader at a young age. Raúl was known for his calm finishing and smart movement. He helped Real Madrid win the Champions League three times. For many years, he held the record for the most goals in UEFA champions league. Even after leaving Madrid, he continued scoring with Schalke. His consistency across seasons was remarkable. Raúl’s legacy remains strong in Champions League history.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 142 | 71 | 29 | Real Madrid, Schalke |
4. Karim Benzema (France)
Karim Benzema’s Champions League importance increased after Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid. He became the team’s main attacker and leader. Benzema combined goal scoring with creative play. His best season came in 2021–22 with unforgettable performances. He scored decisive goals against PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Benzema helped Real Madrid win another Champions League title. His consistency across seasons was impressive. With his total goals, he stands among players with the most goals in UEFA champions league.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 152 | 90 | 30 | Lyon, Real Madrid |
3. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Robert Lewandowski is one of the most consistent strikers in football history. He scored Champions League goals for Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona. Lewandowski is known for his positioning and finishing. His greatest season came in 2019–20 when Bayern won the title. He scored 15 goals in that campaign alone. Lewandowski rarely missed chances in big games. Even in later years, he continued scoring regularly. His numbers place him firmly among the most goals in UEFA champions league leaders.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 131 | 105 | 29 | Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona |
2. Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Lionel Messi’s Champions League career is full of magical moments. He spent most of his European career with Barcelona. Messi’s dribbling and finishing made him unstoppable at times. He won the Champions League four times with Barcelona. Messi finished as the tournament’s top scorer in six seasons. Many of his goals came from individual brilliance. Later, he added more goals with PSG. With his tally, he ranks second for the most goals in UEFA champions league.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 163 | 129 | 40 | Barcelona, PSG |
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest goal scorer in Champions League history. He delivered consistently for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Ronaldo was known for scoring in crucial knockout matches. His physical strength and heading ability set him apart. He won the Champions League five times in his career. Ronaldo finished as top scorer in seven different seasons. Many of his goals came under extreme pressure. With 140 goals, he holds the record for the most goals in UEFA champions league.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Clubs Represented |
| 183 | 140 | 42 | Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus |
FAQs
1. Who has the most goals in UEFA champions league history?
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in UEFA champions league history. He scored 140 goals across his time with Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. Ronaldo is also the all-time top scorer in knockout matches, which makes his record even more impressive. His consistency over many seasons separates him from every other player.
2. Is Lionel Messi close to breaking the most goals in UEFA champions league record?
Lionel Messi is second on the all-time list for the most goals in UEFA champions league, with 129 goals. Although he is close to Cristiano Ronaldo’s record, Messi is no longer playing in European club competitions regularly. Because of this, breaking the record now looks very difficult, even though his Champions League legacy remains historic.
3. Which active player can challenge the most goals in UEFA champions league record?
Erling Haaland is the strongest active player who could challenge the most goals in UEFA champions league record. His goals-per-game ratio is one of the best in Champions League history. If he stays fit and continues playing for top European clubs, he could move very high on the all-time goal list.
4. Why is scoring the most goals in UEFA champions league so difficult?
Scoring the most goals in UEFA champions league is difficult because the competition features the best teams and defenders in the world. Matches are high-pressure, especially in knockout rounds, where mistakes are costly. Players must perform consistently over many seasons to reach the top of the scoring list, not just have one or two good years.