The UEFA Champions League has produced some sensational matches over the years, often accompanied by memorable goalscoring feats.
Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland will be expecting to feature near the top of the Golden Boot standings for 2024/25, but they can expect stiff competition 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.
MORE: All the latest UEFA Champions League news | Players with the most UCL titles in 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. 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 | 99 | 124 | 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 |
7. | Thomas Muller | 54 | 153 | 2009-present | Bayern Munich |
| 8. | Thierry Henry | 50 | 112 | 1997-2012 | Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona |
| 9. | Alfredo Di Stefano | 49 | 58 | 1955-1964 | Real Madrid |
| = | Kylian Mbappe | 49 | 77 | 2016-present | Monaco, PSG, 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 equal 9th place on the all-time Champions League/European Cup scoring charts, with the striker having scored 49 goals in 77 games in the competition. That puts him level with the great Alfredo Di Stefano.
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 | 1 | 4 |
| Total | 49 | 77 |
Haaland is on 44 goals in just 43 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 | 3 | 4 |
| Total | 44 | 43 |