Top five players with most goals in UCL quarterfinals history

These footballers have made a habit of scoring on the big stage

The UEFA Champions League has advanced to the quarterfinals after six rounds of games during the group phase and two in the Round of 16. Only eight of the original 32 teams are still in the tournament to fight for the championship.

Some players have distinguished themselves for their goal-scoring prowess in the UEFA Champions League over the years. Many of these players also had successful goal-scoring outings in the competition's quarterfinals. This aided their teams' chances of reaching the semifinals and, occasionally, even winning the match.

The five players with the most goals in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals stage are listed below without any further ado.

5. Andriy Shevchenko: (14 matches, 9 goals)

In the mid-2000s, Andriy Shevchenko of Ukraine had been among Europe's most deadly attackers. In 2004, his skill in front of goal earned him the Ballon d'Or, and on three separate times, he topped the Champions League scoring lists.

Shevchenko scored goals for Dynamo Kyiv, AC Milan, and Chelsea in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. In 2003, while playing with the Rossoneri, he once won the title. Throughout the campaign, the striker made 100 appearances and netted 48 goals.

4. Filippo Inzaghi: (12 matches, 9 goals)

Filippo Inzaghi, the coach of Brescia, served as one of the most lethal attackers of his day. The Italian goalscorer played for both AC Milan and Juventus, two of the top Italian teams competing in the UEFA Champions League.

During his tenure, Inzaghi was able to score nine goals in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. In 1998, he played for Juventus against Dynamo Kyiv in the quarterfinals, and during the course of two games, he scored four goals.

3. Raul: (17 matches, 10 goals)

Raul, a longtime Real Madrid captain and renowned forward, is still regarded as one of the greatest forwards to have competed in the UEFA Champions League. Prior to recently, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, and Karim Benzema eclipsed the Spanish as the tournament's all-time leading scorer.

Raul grabbed the final two goals in his first campaign with Schalke 04 after scoring eight of his quarterfinal goals in his 16 years with Real Madrid. In 1998, 2000, and 2002, the Spaniard took home the trophy three times. In addition, he led the competition in scoring in 2000. In 142 appearances in the competition, he scored 71 goals.

2. Lionel Messi: (23 matches, 12 goals)

One of the finest footballers to ever play the game remains Lionel Messi. After playing professionally, the Argentine attacker has had a very spectacular career. Throughout the history of the Champions League, he is one of just two players with more than 100 goals scored.

Messi has scored every goal for Barcelona in the tournament's quarterfinals. The offensive player has taken home the honour four times, in 2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015. In 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2019, he was the tournament's top scorer. In 156 competitive appearances, he has scored 125 goals.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo: (22 matches, 25 goals)

More than double the number of goals in UCL quarter finals top-scoring list his closest rival to Messi's goal total, Ronaldo has tallied 25 goals in the competition's quarterfinals. In 2007, he made his debut in a quarterfinal matchup with AS Roma. He scored against Ajax in the 2019 quarterfinals as Juventus lost the match and the tournament.

Ronaldo has found the net in the quarterfinals for Juventus, Real Madrid, and Manchester United. Compared to any other player in the competition's annals, he has taken home the prize five times. In 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, he had the highest score. In 183 competitive appearances, he has scored 140 goals.