Top eight fastest players to score 50 Champions League goals
These players have dominated the tournament over the years.
Reaching a respectable number of goals, and that too being one of the fastest players around to reach that feat in the Champions League, is one of the best experiences one can have. Superstars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo may have dominated the big numbers, but nevertheless, numerous players have given them a run for their money in certain areas of the stats charts.
We have mentioned the top eight fastest scorers of the 50 goals in the Champions League in this post.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo – 91 UCL matches
Given that Ronaldo is the leading scorer in Champions League history, it may come as a surprise to see him listed as eighth. Because of his achievements in the tournament, the 41-year-old is dubbed “Mr Champions League.”
He scored 140 goals in the competition, making it his favourite competition, the Champions League. However, the former Real Madrid footballer scored 50 Champions League goals in 91 appearances.
7. Karim Benzema – 88 UCL matches
Karim Benzema might have received more recognition for a career that has left him as one of the most successful forwards in Champions League history. Only if he had played his sport in an era without two multiple Ballon d’Or winners.
To achieve the 50-goal milestone in Europe’s top league, Benzema needed just 88 games. The Frenchman also helped Real Madrid dominate the sport’s grandest stage, winning five championships, including three straight between 2016 and 2018.
6. Kylian Mbappe – 79 UCL matches
Kylian Mbappe is now the 6th quickest player to reach 50 Champions League goals. He scored his 50th goal in the competition in his 79th match, while playing for Real Madrid against Serie A side Atalanta.
5. Robert Lewandowski – 77 UCL matches
The now 37-year-old needed just 77 games in the Champions League. He scored at the Allianz Arena in the 36th minute to reach the milestone. The prolific Pole went on to score a brace that night.
Robert Lewandowski is still going strong, now with FC Barcelona. Lewandowski has officially surpassed Lionel Messi’s record, becoming the player who has scored against the most different opponents in UEFA Champions League history. His goal against Newcastle United marked his 41st different opponent in the competition — a new all-time record.
4. Harry Kane – 66 UCL matches
Harry Kane celebrated reaching a significant milestone by scoring the 50th Champions League goal of his career after scoring twice in Bayern Munich’s 4-1 victory over Atalanta. Kane hit 50 goals in the competition as the German champions easily advanced to the quarterfinals.
Moreover, he became the first Englishman to score 50 goals. He set another record by becoming one of the fastest players to reach the mark. In just 66 games, Harry Kane has scored 50 goals in the Champions League.
3. Lionel Messi – 66 UCL matches
Few people would be shocked to see Lionel Messi rank well on this list. He is the third fastest player to 50 goals.
The Argentine is widely regarded as the best football player to ever play the sport. He is a captivating talent who has expanded the minds of the sport’s top athletes about what is possible.
Messi has changed the game and broken innumerable records while competing with Cristiano Ronaldo. The record-setting eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or was known frequently for saving his greatest performances for the Champions League stage.
2. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 62 UCL matches
Ruud van Nistelrooy, a forward who thrived on scoring goals during the height of his career, is by far the second-fastest player in Champions League history to reach 50 goals.
When at his best, Van Nistlerooy was the epitome of a goal-box thief and one of Europe’s top players, scoring a ton of goals on the Champions League stage while playing for clubs like PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.
1. Erling Haaland – 49 UCL matches
Erling Haaland of Manchester City broke this record in Champions League history after his goal against Napoli. The Norwegian opened the score in City’s 2-0 triumph over Napoli at the Etihad Stadium, marking the milestone.
Haaland also broke the record of former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy, who needed 62 games to reach 50 goals in the competition, while the Norwegian did it in just 49 matches.
Who was the first player to reach 50 Champions League goals in fewer matches?
Ruud van Nistelrooy was the first player to reach 50 Champions League goals in fewer matches.
Who is the all-time top scorer in the competition?
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in the competition.
Who is the fastest player to reach 50 UCL goals?
Haaland recently broke the record to become the fastest player to reach 50 UCL goals.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.