The UEFA Champions League, known as the most prestigious club football event worldwide, has seen the rise of some of the greatest players in the sport's history, solidifying their legacy within the competition.
Here are the five all-time top scorers in Champions League history and their best goal.
5. Raul - 71 goals
The Spanish forward held the title of the competition's all-time top scorer for several years until Lionel Messi surpassed his record in November 2014.
Raul's most memorable goal in the tournament was in the 2002 Champions League Final, where he netted the opening goal for Real Madrid in the 8th minute. Los Blancos ultimately secured a 2-1 victory, with Raul's crucial goal setting the tone for the match.
4. Karim Benzema - 90 goals
The French forward has consistently proven to be one of the key players for Real Madrid over the last decade.
He delivered one of the most remarkable individual performances in a single season in the competition's history during the 2021/2022 season. His exceptional displays made Real Madrid secure their 14th Champions League title in the club's history.
The 35-year-old's best goal in Europe is a textbook header in the second leg of the 2022 quarterfinals against defending champions Chelsea, which booked Madrid a semifinal slot.
3. Robert Lewandowski - 92 goals
The only remaining active player in the Champions League on this list, Lewandowski is widely regarded as one of the best strikers of all time, winning the competition with Bayern Munich in 2020 with him as the focal point.
The Polish player's standout moment in the tournament was not just one goal but an incredible streak of four consecutive goals within 14 minutes and 32 seconds in November 2019, marking the quickest four-goal haul in Champions League history.
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2. Lionel Messi - 129 goals
The legendary Argentine forward was the first player to surpass Raul and claim the position of the competition's all-time top scorer. He was involved in a closely contested battle with Cristiano Ronaldo for the title, with the lead shifting between them for nearly a year.
Messi has scored many exceptional goals in the Champions League, but the one that stood out was his out-of-this-world header during the 2009 UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United.
This goal essentially secured the continental treble for Barcelona and solidified Messi's position as the best player in the world.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo - 140 goals
The Portuguese remains as the Champions League's all-time top scorer, having held the position since September 2015 after a back-and-forth with Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo's best goal in the competition came in April 2018 during the first leg of their quarterfinal match against Juventus, whom they faced in the final a year prior.
The forward soared up in the sky to score a sensational bicycle kick over Gianluigi Buffon, which even earned the applause of the home Juventus fans.
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