x(1125).png?1089868440 "Football: UEFA Champions League Top Scorers, by number of goals scored"){kind=logo}
| Player | Number of goals scored |
|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 141 |
| Lionel Messi | 129 |
| Robert Lewandowski | 91 |
| Karim Benzema | 90 |
| Raúl | 71 |
| Ruud van Nistelrooy | 60 |
| Andriy Shevchenko | 59 |
| Thomas Müller | 53 |
| Thierry Henry | 51 |
| Filippo Inzaghi | 50 |
- Source: UEFA - All-time top goalscorers
- Region: Europe
- Time period: 1955 to 2023
- Published: Jun 2023
Data Analysis and Insights
Gap Between Top Two Scorers
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the UEFA Champions League all-time top goal scorers list with 141 goals, outpacing Lionel Messi, who is in second place with 129 goals. The difference of 12 goals between the first and second places highlights Ronaldo's dominance in this competition.Exclusivity of the 90+ Goals Club
Only three players have scored 90 or more goals in the UEFA Champions League: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Robert Lewandowski. This elite group showcases the extraordinary goal-scoring capabilities required to reach such a milestone in this prestigious competition.Consistency of Top Scorers Across Eras
The list features players from different generations, with Raúl, who scored 71 goals, and Filippo Inzaghi, with 50 goals, representing earlier periods of the competition. This diversity underscores the sustained excellence and evolution of attacking play in the Champions League over the years.Narrow Margins Among Lower Rankings
A tight competition exists among players ranked 5th to 10th, where the goal difference between Raúl (71 goals) and Filippo Inzaghi (50 goals) is only 21 goals. This small margin indicates how closely contested the positions are among the all-time top scorers below the top four.Benzema's Position and Potential for Advancement
Karim Benzema is just one goal behind Robert Lewandowski, with 90 goals. This places him in a prime position to potentially rise to the third spot in the future, emphasizing the ongoing competition among the world's elite strikers even in the latter stages of their careers.Frequently Asked Questions
Who leads the UEFA Champions League all-time top goal scorers list?
Cristiano Ronaldo leads the UEFA Champions League all-time top goal scorers list with 141 goals.
How many players have scored 90 or more goals in the UEFA Champions League?
Only three players have scored 90 or more goals in the UEFA Champions League.
Who represents the earlier periods of the Champions League on the list of top scorers?
Raúl, who scored 71 goals, and Filippo Inzaghi, with 50 goals, represent earlier periods of the competition.
What is the goal difference between the players ranked 5th to 10th in the UEFA Champions League all-time top scorers list?
The goal difference between the players ranked 5th to 10th is only 21 goals.
Terms and Definitions
UEFA stands for the Union of European Football Associations. It is the administrative body for football, futsal, and beach soccer in Europe. UEFA organizes and oversees sporting events such as the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and European Football Championship.
The UEFA Champions League is an annual football competition organized by UEFA. It involves top-division European football clubs competing against each other. It's one of the most prestigious tournaments in international football and is viewed worldwide.
In football, a goal is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line, between the goalposts and under the crossbar, provided that no infringement of the rules has been committed by the team scoring the goal. It is the primary method of scoring in football.
The goal scorer in football is the player who successfully sends the ball into the opponent's goal, thereby earning a point for their team. A goal scorer can score via a variety of ways such as shooting the ball, heading it, or even off a deflection.
'All-time' is a term used to refer to aggregated statistics throughout the history of an event. It isn't limited to a single season or period. In this context, 'all-time' refers to the total number of goals scored by players in the UEFA Champions League since it was first held.
'Top goal scorers' in UEFA Champions League are the players who have scored the highest number of goals in the tournament throughout its history.
A hat-trick in football is achieved when a player scores three goals in a single game. A 'perfect' hat-trick is when these three goals are scored with the player's right foot, left foot, and head, in no particular order.
The Golden Boot is an award given to the top goal scorer of the UEFA Champions League in a particular year. The winner is the player who has scored the most goals during that tournament season.
An own goal in football occurs when a player unintentionally plays the ball into their own team's net, resulting in a goal being awarded to the opposition. Own goals are often unfortunate incidents and are counted separately from other goals scored.
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