Champions League

Champions League 40-goal club: Lionel Messi closes gap to Cristiano Ronaldo

Published: October 6 2022 | 11:29

Last updated: October 6 2022 | 12:19

Sports Mole looks at the latest standings in the all-time Champions League scoring list after Lionel Messi further closed the gap on Cristiano Ronaldo at the top.

Lionel Messi edged ever closer to Cristiano Ronaldo's all-time Champions League goalscoring record courtesy of his strike against Benfica on Wednesday night.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward continued his fine start to the season with a brilliant curling effort into the top corner - Champions League goal number 127 of his glittering career to move to within 13 of Ronaldo's record total.

In doing so, the Argentine also extended a competition record of his own as he became the first player to score against 40 different teams in the Champions League, creating an entirely new take on the 40-goal club which he now boasts sole membership of.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how the all-time Champions League scoring list looks after Messi's latest goal.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus)

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Villarreal in the Champions League on September 29, 2021 © Reuters

Goals: 140
Appearances: 183
Ratio: 0.77

2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain)

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for Paris Saint-Germain against Benfica on October 5, 2022 © Reuters

Goals: 127
Appearances: 159
Ratio: 0.80

3. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona)

Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their fourth goal to complete his hat-trick on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

Goals: 89
Appearances: 109
Ratio: 0.82

4. Karim Benzema (Lyon, Real Madrid)

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema celebrates scoring against Chelsea on April 5, 2022 © Reuters

Goals: 86
Appearances: 144
Ratio: 0.6

5. Raul (Real Madrid, Schalke 04)

Raul in action for Real Madrid in 2009 © Reuters

Goals: 71
Appearances: 142
Ratio: 0.50

6. Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Real Madrid)

Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United © Reuters

Goals: 56
Appearances: 73
Ratio: 0.77

7. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller celebrates their third goal scored by Jamal Musiala on December 8, 2021 © Reuters

Goals: 52
Appearances: 136
Ratio: 0.38

8. Thierry Henry (Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona)

Thierry Henry celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Sparta Prague in the Champions League on October 18, 2005 © Reuters

Goals: 50
Appearances: 112
Ratio: 0.45

9. Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid)

Goals: 49
Appearances: 58
Ratio: 0.84

10. Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kiev, AC Milan, Chelsea)

Andriy Shevchenko pictured for AC Milan in 2006 © Reuters

Goals: 48
Appearances: 100
Ratio: 0.48

11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain)

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring their second goal on September 12, 2021 © Reuters

Goals: 48
Appearances: 124
Ratio: 0.39

12. Eusebio (Benfica)

Eusebio pictured for Benfica during his playing career © Reuters

Goals: 46
Appearances: 65
Ratio: 0.71

13. Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan)

Goals: 46
Appearances: 81
Ratio: 0.57

14. Didier Drogba (Marseille, Chelsea, Galatasaray)

Goals: 44
Appearances: 92
Ratio: 0.48

15. Neymar (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain)

Goals: 42
Appearances: 78
Ratio: 0.54

16. Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)

Goals: 42
Appearances: 89
Ratio: 0.47

17. Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, Manchester City)

Goals: 41
Appearances: 79
Ratio: 0.52

Written by
Barney Corkhill

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Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for Paris Saint-Germain against Benfica on October 5, 2022