List of UEFA Champions League top scorers explained

The UEFA Champions League, known until 1992 as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or colloquially as the European Cup, is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1955. Originally a straight knockout competition open only to champion clubs, the tournament was expanded during the 1990s to incorporate a round-robin group phase and more teams. The expansion resulted in more games being played, increasing players' goalscoring chances; thus the rankings are weighted in favour of modern players: only seven out of the 52 players on the list never competed in the reformed Champions League.

With 140 goals, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the all-time top scorer in the Champions League, while his career rival Lionel Messi is the only other player to have reached triple figures. Ronaldo has also finished as the top scorer for the most individual seasons in the competition's history, doing so seven times.

The title of highest goalscorer had previously been held by Raúl, who scored his 50th goal in 2005 while at Real Madrid to overtake Alfredo Di Stéfano.[1] He held the record until November 2014,[2] [3] when his eventual tally of 71 was first equalled and then surpassed by Messi.[4] [5] Ronaldo has remained the competition's outright top scorer since September 2015; after a back-and-forth exchange of the record between him and Messi, a hat-trick by the former against Shakhtar Donetsk put Ronaldo ahead with 80 goals, and he would not relinquish the top spot again after this.[6]

All-time top scorers

A indicates the player was from the European Cup era.

Players that took part in the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League are highlighted in bold.

The table below does not include goals scored in the qualification stage of the competition.

RankPlayerGoalsRatioYearsClub(s) (Goals/Apps)
1 Cristiano Ronaldo140183,,
2 Lionel Messi1291632005–2023,
3941202011–,,
4 Karim Benzema901522005–2023,
5 Raúl71142,
6 Ruud van Nistelrooy56731998–2009,,
7 Thomas Müller541512009–Bayern Munich
8 Thierry Henry501121997–2012,,
949581955–1964Real Madrid
10 Kylian Mbappé48732016–,
Andriy Shevchenko481001994–2012,,
Zlatan Ibrahimović481242001–2021,,,,,,
1346651961–1974Benfica
Filippo Inzaghi46811997–2012,
15 Mohamed Salah44792013–,,,
44922003–2015,,
1743812013–2022,
18 Alessandro Del Piero42891995–2009Juventus
19 Erling Haaland41392019–,,
Sergio Agüero41792008–2021,,
2136411956–1966,
Antoine Griezmann 36952014–,,
23 Edinson Cavani35702011–2022,,
2434351969–1977Bayern Munich
25 Fernando Morientes33931997–2009,,,,
26 Arjen Robben311102002–2018,,,
27 Samuel Eto'o30781999–2014,,,,
Wayne Rooney30852004–2015Manchester United
Kaká30862003–2014,
30891955–1969Real Madrid
31 Harry Kane 29442016–,
David Trezeguet29581997–2009,
Roy Makaay29612000–2007,
Patrick Kluivert29711994–2006,,
Edin Džeko29742009–,,,
3628371989–1994,,
Álvaro Morata28822012–,,,
Ryan Giggs281451993–2014Manchester United
39 Sadio Mané27632017–2023,
27732010–2022,,
Rivaldo27731997–2007,,
Raheem Sterling27822014–,,
43 Mario Gómez26442007–2013,
44 Mário Jardel25461996–2001,
Robin van Persie25592002–2014,,
Hernán Crespo25651997–2007,,,,
4724281959–1976,
Gabriel Jesus24462017–,
24461989–2001,,
24561960–1969Benfica
Olivier Giroud24642012–2023,,
Giovane Élber24691997–2004,
Marco Reus24722012–2024Borussia Dortmund
Gonzalo Higuaín24832007–2020,,
Luís Figo241031997–2009,,
Paul Scholes241241997–2009

Top scorers by season

The table below does not include goals scored in the qualification stage of the competition.[7]

SeasonPlayer(s)Club(s)Goals
1955–56 Miloš Milutinovićdata-sort-value="Partizan" Partizan8
1956–57 Dennis Violletdata-sort-value="Manchester United" Manchester United9
1957–58 Alfredo Di Stéfanodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid10
1958–59 Just Fontainedata-sort-value="Stade Reims" Reims10
1959–60 Ferenc Puskásdata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid12
1960–61 José Águasdata-sort-value="Benfica" Benfica11
1961–62 Heinz Strehldata-sort-value="1. FC Nürnberg" 1. FC Nürnberg8
Alfredo Di Stéfanodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid
Justo Tejadadata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid
Ferenc Puskásdata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid
1962–63 José Altafinidata-sort-value="Milan" Milan14
1963–64 Vladica Kovačevićdata-sort-value="Partizan" Partizan7
Sandro Mazzoladata-sort-value="Inter Milan" Inter Milan
Ferenc Puskásdata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid
1964–65 Eusébiodata-sort-value="Benfica" Benfica9
José Torresdata-sort-value="Benfica" Benfica
1965–66 Flórián Albertdata-sort-value="Ferencváros" Ferencváros7
Eusébiodata-sort-value="Benfica" Benfica
1966–67 Jürgen Piepenburgdata-sort-value="Vorwärts Berlin" Vorwärts Berlin6
Paul Van Himstdata-sort-value="Anderlecht" Anderlecht
1967–68 Eusébiodata-sort-value="Benfica" Benfica6
1968–69 Denis Lawdata-sort-value="Manchester United" Manchester United9
1969–70 Mick Jonesdata-sort-value="Leeds United" Leeds United8
1970–71 Antonis Antoniadisdata-sort-value="Panathinaikos" Panathinaikos10
1971–72 Johan Cruyffdata-sort-value="Ajax" Ajax5
Antal Dunaidata-sort-value="Újpesti Dózsa" Újpest
Lou Macaridata-sort-value="Celtic" Celtic
Silvester Takačdata-sort-value="Standard Liège" Standard Liège
1972–73 Gerd Müllerdata-sort-value="Bayern Munich" Bayern Munich11
1973–74 Gerd Müllerdata-sort-value="Bayern Munich" Bayern Munich8
1974–75 Gerd Müllerdata-sort-value="Bayern Munich" Bayern Munich5
Eduard Markarovdata-sort-value="Ararat Yerevan" Ararat Yerevan
1975–76 Jupp Heynckesdata-sort-value="Borussia Mönchengladbach" Borussia Mönchengladbach6
1976–77 Gerd Müllerdata-sort-value="Bayern Munich" Bayern Munich5
Franco Cucinottadata-sort-value="Zürich" Zürich
1977–78 Allan Simonsendata-sort-value="Borussia Mönchengladbach" Borussia Mönchengladbach5
1978–79 Claudio Sulserdata-sort-value="Grasshopper" Grasshopper11
1979–80 Søren Lerbydata-sort-value="Ajax" Ajax10
1980–81 Terry McDermottdata-sort-value="Liverpool" Liverpool6
Graeme Sounessdata-sort-value="Liverpool" Liverpool
Karl-Heinz Rummeniggedata-sort-value="Bayern Munich" Bayern Munich
1981–82 Dieter Hoeneßdata-sort-value="Bayern Munich" Bayern Munich7
1982–83 Paolo Rossidata-sort-value="Juventus" Juventus6
1983–84 Viktor Sokoldata-sort-value="Dinamo Minsk" Dinamo Minsk6
1984–85 Torbjörn Nilssondata-sort-value="IFK Göteborg" IFK Göteborg7
Michel Platinidata-sort-value="Juventus" Juventus
1985–86 Torbjörn Nilssondata-sort-value="IFK Göteborg" IFK Göteborg6
1986–87 Borislav Cvetkovićdata-sort-value="Red Star Belgrade" Red Star Belgrade7
1987–88 Gheorghe Hagidata-sort-value="Steaua București" Steaua București4
Petar Novákdata-sort-value="Sparta Prague" Sparta Prague
René van der Gijpdata-sort-value="Neuchâtel Xamax" Neuchâtel Xamax
Rabah Madjerdata-sort-value="Porto" Porto
Ally McCoistdata-sort-value="Rangers" Rangers
Mícheldata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid
Rui Águasdata-sort-value="Benfica" Benfica
1988–89 Marco van Bastendata-sort-value="Milan" Milan10
1989–90 Romáriodata-sort-value="PSV Eindhoven" PSV Eindhoven6
Jean-Pierre Papindata-sort-value="Marseille" Marseille
1990–91 Peter Pacultdata-sort-value="Tirol Innsbruck" Tirol Innsbruck6
Jean-Pierre Papindata-sort-value="Marseille" Marseille
1991–92 Sergei Yurandata-sort-value="Benfica" Benfica7
Jean-Pierre Papindata-sort-value="Marseille" Marseille
1992–93 Romáriodata-sort-value="PSV Eindhoven" PSV Eindhoven7
1993–94 Ronald Koemandata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona8
Wynton Ruferdata-sort-value="Werder Bremen" Werder Bremen
1994–95 George Weahdata-sort-value="Paris Saint-Germain" Paris Saint-Germain7
1995–96 Jari Litmanendata-sort-value="Ajax" Ajax9
1996–97 Milinko Pantićdata-sort-value="Atlético Madrid" Atlético Madrid5
1997–98 Alessandro Del Pierodata-sort-value="Juventus" Juventus10
1998–99 Andriy Shevchenkodata-sort-value="Dynamo Kyiv" Dynamo Kyiv8
Dwight Yorkedata-sort-value="Manchester United" Manchester United
1999–2000 Mário Jardeldata-sort-value="Porto" Porto10
Rivaldodata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona
Raúldata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid
2000–01 Raúldata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid7
2001–02 Ruud van Nistelrooydata-sort-value="Manchester United" Manchester United10
2002–03 Ruud van Nistelrooydata-sort-value="Manchester United" Manchester United12
2003–04 Fernando Morientesdata-sort-value="Monaco" Monaco9
2004–05 Ruud van Nistelrooydata-sort-value="Manchester United" Manchester United8
2005–06 Andriy Shevchenkodata-sort-value="Milan" Milan9
2006–07 Kakádata-sort-value="Milan" Milan10
2007–08 Cristiano Ronaldodata-sort-value="Manchester United" Manchester United8
2008–09 Lionel Messidata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona9
2009–10 Lionel Messidata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona8
2010–11 Lionel Messidata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona12
2011–12 Lionel Messidata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona14
2012–13 Cristiano Ronaldodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid12
2013–14 Cristiano Ronaldodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid17
2014–15 Neymardata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona10
Cristiano Ronaldodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid
Lionel Messidata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona
2015–16 Cristiano Ronaldodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid16
2016–17 Cristiano Ronaldodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid12
2017–18 Cristiano Ronaldodata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid15
2018–19 Lionel Messidata-sort-value="Barcelona" Barcelona12
2019–20 Robert Lewandowskidata-sort-value="Bayern Munich" Bayern Munich15
2020–21 Erling Haalanddata-sort-value="Borussia Dortmund" Borussia Dortmund10
2021–22 Karim Benzemadata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Real Madrid15
2022–23 Erling Haalanddata-sort-value="Manchester City" Manchester City12
2023–24 Harry Kanedata-sort-value="Barcelona" Bayern Munich8
Kylian Mbappédata-sort-value="Real Madrid" Paris Saint-Germain

By player

PlayerTitlesSeasons
Cristiano Ronaldo72007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
Lionel Messi62008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2018–19
Gerd Müller41972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77
Ferenc Puskás31959–60, 1961–62, 1963–64
Eusébio1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68
Jean-Pierre Papin1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92
Ruud van Nistelrooy2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05
Alfredo Di Stéfano21957–58, 1961–62
Torbjörn Nilsson1984–85, 1985–86
Romário1989–90, 1992–93
Raúl1999–2000, 2000–01
Andriy Shevchenko1998–99, 2005–06
Erling Haaland2020–21, 2022–23

By club

ClubTitlesSeasons
Real Madrid161957–58, 1959–60, 1961–62 (3), 1963–64, 1987–88, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2021–22
Barcelona91993–94, 1999–2000, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15 (2), 2018–19
Bayern Munich81972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1976–77, 1980–81, 1981–82, 2019–20, 2023–24
Benfica71960–61, 1964–65 (2), 1965–66, 1967–68, 1987–88, 1991–92
Manchester United1956–57, 1968–69, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08
Milan41962–63, 1988–89, 2005–06, 2006–07
Marseille31989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92
Ajax1971–72, 1979–80, 1995–96
Juventus1982–83, 1984–85, 1997–98
Partizan21955–56, 1963–64
Borussia Mönchengladbach1975–76, 1977–78
Liverpool1980–81 (2)
IFK Göteborg1984–85, 1985–86
PSV Eindhoven1989–90, 1992–93
Porto1987–88, 1999–2000
Paris Saint-Germain1994–95, 2023–24
Reims11958–59
1. FC Nürnberg1961–62
Inter Milan1963–64
Ferencváros1965–66
Anderlecht1966–67
Vorwärts Berlin1966–67
Leeds United1969–70
Panathinaikos1970–71
Celtic1971–72
Standard Liège1971–72
Újpest1971–72
Ararat Yerevan1974–75
Zürich1976–77
Grasshopper1978–79
Dinamo Minsk1983–84
Red Star Belgrade1986–87
Neuchâtel Xamax1987–88
Sparta Prague1987–88
Steaua București1987–88
Rangers1987–88
Tirol Innsbruck1990–91
Werder Bremen1993–94
Atlético Madrid1996–97
Dynamo Kyiv1998–99
Monaco2003–04
Borussia Dortmund2020–21
Manchester City2022–23
Notes

By country

CountryTitlesSeasons
131960–61, 1964–65 (2),1965–66, 1967–68, 1987–88, 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
81961–62, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1976–77, 1980–81, 1981–82
1957–58, 1961–62, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2018–19
71971–72, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1993–94, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05
1958–59, 1984–85, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 2021–22, 2023–24
61989–90, 1992–93, 1999–2000 (2), 2006–07, 2014–15
51959–60, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1971–72
1955–56, 1963–64, 1971–72, 1986–87, 1996–97
1962–63, 1963–64, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1997–98
1961–62, 1987–88, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2003–04
41968–69, 1971–72, 1980–81, 1987–88
1956–57, 1969–70, 1980–81, 2023–24
31991–92, 1998–99, 2005–06
21977–78, 1979–80
1974–75, 1983–84
1984–85, 1985–86
2020–21, 2022–23
11966–67
1970–71
1978–79
1987–88
1987–88
1987–88
1990–91
1993–94
1994–95
1995–96
1998–99
2019–20
Notes

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Raúl ya es el máximo goleador de la Copa de Europa . Raúl is now the top scorer of the European Cup . 28 September 2005 . 25 October 2023 . . Madrid, Spain . es.
  2. Web site: Hunter . Graham . Look out, Messi, Ronaldo is the real record breaker . 30 May 2014 . 25 October 2023 . ESPN.
  3. Web site: Bate . Adam . Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are closing in on Raul's UEFA Champions League goalscoring record of 71 . 2 November 2014 . 25 October 2023 . Sky Sports.
  4. Web site: Arnett . George . Sedghi . Ami . Champions League goalscoring record: charting Messi, Ronaldo and Raúl . 7 November 2014 . 25 October 2023 . The Guardian.
  5. News: Messi breaks Champions League record . 25 November 2014 . 25 October 2023 . BBC Sport.
  6. News: 15 September 2015 . Ronaldo reaches 80 goals as Madrid fell Shakhtar . . 25 October 2023.
  7. For players active prior to the introduction of the Champions League in 1992, see: Web site: Di Maggio . Roberto . Mamrud . Roberto . Rota . Davide . Owsianski . Jarek . 8 June 2017 . Champions Cup/Champions League Topscorers . 2 November 2017 . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF). For all other players, see: Web site: UEFA Champions League Statistics Handbook 2017/18: Facts and figures . . 11 . 2 November 2017.

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