The UEFA Champions League has produced some sensational matches over the years, often accompanied by memorable goalscoring feats.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland had been expected to feature near the top of the Golden Boot standings for 2024/25, but the latter’s early exit means he will not finish top of the standings. Stiff competition should still come from Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski.
Mbappe and Kane shared the award last season as they scored eight goals each despite neither player reaching the final.
The Sporting News brings you a look at the all-time top scorers in Champions League and European Cup history.
Who has the most Champions League goals ever?
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the way, having scored 140 goals in the competition during his illustrious career, which saw him bag goals for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus in the Champions League.
Lionel Messi, meanwhile, is second with 129 goals for Barcelona and PSG, while Lewandowski is third, having become just the third player to reach a century of goals in the competition on November 26, 2024. The Poland international is also the only player to score a hat-trick for three different teams in the competition (Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona).
| Rank | Name | Goals | Appearances | Years | Club (s) |
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | 140 | 183 | 2003-present | Man United, Real Madrid, Juventus |
| 2. | Lionel Messi | 129 | 160 | 2005-present | Barcelona, PSG |
| 3. | Robert Lewandowski | 103 | 128 | 2011-present | Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona |
| 4. | Karim Benzema | 90 | 152 | 2005-present | Real Madrid, Lyon |
| 5. | Raul | 71 | 142 | 1995-2011 | Real Madrid, Schalke |
| 6. | Ruud van Nistelrooy | 56 | 73 | 1998-2009 | PSV, Man United, Real Madrid |
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Thomas Muller | 56 | 158 | 2009-present | Bayern Munich |
| 8. | Kylian Mbappe | 55 | 84 | 2016-present | Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid |
| 9. | Thierry Henry | 50 | 112 | 1997-2012 | Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona |
| 10. | Erling Haaland | 49 | 48 | 2019- | Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, Man City |
| = | Alfredo Di Stefano | 49 | 58 | 1955-1964 | Real Madrid |
| 11. | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | 48 | 124 | 2001-present | Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, PSG |
| = | Andriy Shevchenko | 48 | 100 | 1994-2012 | Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, Chelsea |
Where do Mbappe and Haaland rank in all-time Champions League goal scorers?
Mbappe and Haaland have already impressed in the Champions League and are expected to continue to do so for some time to come.
Mbappe is already in 8th place on the all-time Champions League/European Cup scoring charts, with the striker having scored 55 goals in 84 games in the competition. That puts him above the great Alfredo Di Stefano and Thierry Henry.
Kylian Mbappe Champions League goals
| Season | Goals | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 2016/17 | 6 | 9 |
| 2017/18 | 4 | 8 |
| 2018/19 | 4 | 8 |
| 2019/20 | 5 | 10 |
| 2020/21 | 8 | 10 |
| 2021/22 | 6 | 8 |
| 2022/23 | 7 | 8 |
| 2023/24 | 8 | 12 |
| 2024/25 | 7 | 11 |
| Total | 55 | 84 |
Haaland is on 49 goals in just 48 career appearances in the Champions League. He is already ahead of Sergio Aguero in the all-time goals list.
Erling Haaland Champions League goals
| Season | Goals | Games |
|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 | 8 | 6 |
| 2019/20 | 2 | 2 |
| 2020/21 | 10 | 8 |
| 2021/22 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022/23 | 12 | 11 |
| 2023/24 | 6 | 9 |
| 2024/25 | 8 | 9 |
| Total | 49 | 48 |
