According to UEFA and other sources, these are the top 10 players with the most Champions League goals as of late May 2025 (not counting qualifying rounds).
| Rank | Player | Goals | Clubs Represented |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cristiano Ronaldo | 141* | Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus |
| 2. | Lionel Messi | 129* | Barcelona, Paris Saint‑Germain |
| 3. | Robert Lewandowski | 105* | Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona |
| 4. | Karim Benzema | 90* | Lyon, Real Madrid |
| 5. | Raúl González | 71 | Real Madrid, Schalke |
| 6. | Ruud van Nistelrooy | 60 | PSV Eindhoven, Manchester Utd, Real Madrid |
| 7. | Andriy Shevchenko | 59 | Dynamo Kyiv, Milan, Chelsea |
| 8. | Thomas Müller | 57* | Bayern Munich |
| 9. | Kylian Mbappé | 55* | Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid |
| 10. | Thierry Henry & Mohamed Salah * | 51* | (Henry: Monaco, Arsenal, Barça; Salah: Liverpool) |
*Henry and Salah both stand at 51 goals, tied for 10th.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is still, without a doubt, the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with 141 goals. He holds the following records and is the only player to score more than 140 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) is widely known as “Mr. Champions League”.
- Most seasons as top scorer (7 times)
- Most goals in the knockout phases (67) and finals (scored in three finals)
- Record for most goals in a single season—17 in 2013–14
He leads almost all of the Champions League goal categories.
2. Lionel Messi
Messi is a close second to Ronaldo with 129 goals. His milestones include:
- Most goals for one club: 120 with Barcelona
- Scored in 16 consecutive campaigns with Barça, 18 overall
- Sixth time crowned top scorer in a Champions League season
He is still solidly in second place for UCL all-time leading scorer, despite missing the later seasons after leaving Europe.
3. Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski is the only other player in the competition with more than 100 goals, with 105.
- In September 2023, 100 UCL goals were accomplished.
- Still playing (at Barcelona now) and contributing: tied for second in the seasonal top-scorer standings with 11 goals in the 2024–2025 campaign
He is a contender to close the deficit because of the unrelenting pursuit that is ongoing.
4. Karim Benzema
Benzema ranks fourth on the all-time list with 90 goals. He ranks far ahead of many prior legends and was the leading scorer in the 2021–22 season.
5. Raul Gonzalez
Prior to Messi surpassing him in 2014, Real Madrid legend Raúl held the record with 71 goals. He is still regarded as a club legend and has twice topped the seasonal rankings.
6. Ruud van Nistelrooy
Despite not winning the competition, the Dutch striker scored 60 goals in the Champions League and won the top scorer award three times.
7. Andriy Shevchenko (59) & 8. Thomas Müller (57)
- Shevchenko has scored 59 goals for three big teams.
- With 57 goals, Müller, a veteran attacker and midfielder for Bayern, is the most productive midfielder in UCL history.
9. Kylian Mbappé
Mbappé, who is still in his mid-20s, has already scored 55 goals. As he develops at Real Madrid, he is a contemporary star who is obviously aiming higher.
10. Thierry Henry & Mohamed Salah
Both tied on 51 goals
- The legendary French forward Thierry Henry was a success at both Arsenal and Barcelona.
- With 51 goals, Mohamed Salah is now Liverpool’s all-time leading African scorer in the UCL, creating a new record.
Honourable Mentions (11-15)
- Filippo Inzaghi – 50
- Alfredo Di Stéfano, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Erling Haaland – 49 each
Haaland, at just 24, is especially striking, averaging over a goal per game
Record Highlights: The Big Picture
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time best scorer in the Champions League (141).
- Triple-figure UCL goals have only ever been attained by three players: Lewandowski, Messi, and Ronaldo
- The player for a single club with the most UCL goals: Messi—120 for Barcelona
- Ronaldo-top: most goals in elimination rounds and finals, most seasons as the top scorer (7)
Seasons: Top Scorers of 2024–25
The top goal scorers in the 2024–25 Champions League were:
- Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund) – 13 goals
- Raphinha (Barcelona) – 13 goals
Kane, Lewandowski (11 each), Martínez (9), Haaland, Dembélé, and Vinícius Jr. (8 each) are also at the top.
The Legacy of Most Goals in UCL
From Di Stéfano in the 1950s to up-and-coming players like Haaland and Mbappé, the UEFA Champions League top scorer list spans several periods. However, Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League, sets a lofty standard. He is exceptional in European football due to his historical stability and peak performance across clubs.
Lewandowski is still the only active player over 100, despite Messi and Benzema coming close. Mbappé, Haaland, Kane, and Salah are after him.
Future Outlook
- Barcelona depends on Lewandowski in key games, and he is still chasing Messi’s 129.
- Mbappé poses a constant danger and could eventually contend for a spot in the top three.
- If Haaland’s scoring rampage continues, he might break into the top 10 with an average of more than one goal per game.
Still, Ronaldo’s 141 seems safe—for now.
In Summary
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the Champions League with 141 goals.
- Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in the UCL, followed by Messi (129), Lewandowski (105), and others.
- Most Champions League goals: Important benchmarks from different eras, but longevity and consistency characterise the best.
- Watch the race with the most UCL goals: In the heyday of European football, Lewandowski, Mbappé, Haaland, and Salah are engaged in combat.
These heroes demonstrate the timeless appeal of Europe’s premier league by representing the greatest goal scorers in Champions League history, both historical and contemporary.
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