Top 10 players with most goals in first 25 Champions League appearances

These footballers have made scoring goals on big European nights a habit and some have attained legendary status in the process

The UEFA Champions League is arguably the most renowned competition in League football. This is where the world's strongest clubs battle it out to win the UEFA Champions League trophy. In such a competition many youngsters have made their name and more are looking to make their name.

Back in 2017, Kylian Mbappe showcased his talent after a stellar performance for AS Monaco against Manchester City. Many top tier footballers have scored quite some goals as well. Let's take a look at the top 10 Footballers with the most goals in first 25 Champions League appearances.

10. Karim Benzema - 13 goals

Benzema spent much of his Real Madrid career under the shadows of Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale. However he was still scoring goals then and has improved even more now. Karim Benzema was on his absolute best form in the 2022 season when he scored consecutive hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea.

Benzema also scored the most goals in LaLiga as he went on to win the UEFA Champions League, Ballon d'Or and much more. Before joining Real Madrid , Benzema showed his worth and he did this in the UEFA Champions League. Karim managed to score 13 goals after his first 25 UEFA Champions League appearances. Overall he has scored 89 Champions League goals and is looking to score more.

9. Kylian Mbappe - 14 goals

The French striker was a big Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo fan whilst growing up. Much like his idol Ronaldo, Mbappe is also a very talented player. Kylian first showcased his talent with AS Monaco in Ligue 1. However, one Champions League campaign was all it took to change his life.

The most iconic performance was against Manchester City when Mbappe heavily contributed to eliminating them. Kylian Mbappe is now alongside Haaland as the two elite talents of the next generation of football. Mbappe scored 14 UCL goals after his initial 25 appearances. Overall the Frenchman has scored 40 goals and is enroute to score more.

8. Neymar Jr - 14 goals

Many talented footballers have come and failed however Neymar Jr proved his talent and lived upto it. Neymar's talent is yet to be fulfilled to his full potential as many speculate that the Brazilian phenomenon can do much more. Arguably the third-best of our generation after Ronaldo Messi. Neymar Jr first started out his career with Santos. He ranked 10th place in the Ballon d'Or rankings playing for Santos.

Neymar also won the Puskas award when he was with Santos. Neymar's accolades and individual brilliance with Santos earned him a move to FC Barcelona. Neymar Jr scored 14 goals after his first 25 Champions League appearances. Overall Neymar has a tally of 43 goals for both PSG and FC Barcelona.

7. Andriy Shevchenko - 15 goals

Ukrainian international Andriy Shevchenko ranks amongst the top 20 scorers in the UEFA Champions League history. He achieved fame and success when he played for AC Milan. Shevchenko has won the UCL once with AC Milan in 2003. Shevchenko played a vital role as he scored the final penalty against Juventus in the penalty shootouts of the 2002-03 UCL final. Shevchenko managed to score 15 UCL goals in his first 25 appearances. Overall the former AC Milan striker has a tally of 48 goals in the Champions League.

6. Didier Drogba - 15 goals

One of the best strikers in the history of the Premier League and football. Didier Drogba was known for his clinical and lethal goalscoring. His most famous record is scoring 12 goals in 15 cup finals throughout his career. Drogba is known as the best big game player of all time. He scored a header against Bayern Munich in the 88th minute of the 2012 Champions League final.

This took the match to extra time and then penalty shootouts where Drogba ultimately scored the winning penalty. Drogba had scored 15 UEFA Champions League goals in his first 25 appearances. Overall the renowned Chelsea striker has scored 44 Champions League goals.

5. Robert Lewandowski - 15 goals

Lewandowski is alongside the likes of Suarez, Benzema, and Ibrahimovic amongst the best strikers of our generation. Robert has received criticism for performing in the less competitive Bundesliga. However, Robert proved himself and has performed exquisitely in the UCL. Overall Robert Lewandowski has scored 91 goals and is looking to score more for FC Barcelona next season onwards. After his first 25 UEFA champions league appearances, Robert managed to score 15 goals which is quite a tally.

4. Fillipo Inzaghi - 16 goals

Fillipo Inzaghi has had one hell of a career. He won the UEFA Champions League twice. His most famous story comes with AC Milan in the 2007 season. AC Milan reached their 3rd champions league finals in 4 years back in 2007. They faced Liverpool in the final which was a rematch of the 2005 final. After missing out on the 2005 final, Inzaghi wanted to do his best. However, at that time Gilardino had replaced Inzaghi throughout the season because Fillipo had lost his form and consistency.

Despite this Ancelotti played Inzaghi in the final and it paid off. Inzaghi scored a brace as AC Milan beat Liverpool to win the UCL trophy. Overall Inzaghi is amongst the top five Italian topscorers in the UEFA Champions League. The Italian striker managed to score 16 goals in his first 25 Champions League games which established him as a lethal striker.

3. Ruud Van Nistelrooy - 18 goals

The Dutch striker is one of the best strikers of this generation. Van Nistelrooy had set a record of his own back then. Ruud was the fastest player to score 30 goals in 34 games until Erling Haaland broke the record. Overall Ruud Van Nistelrooy scored 56 Champions League goals and stands amongst the top scorers in the history of the competition. However, despite being the top scorer in three different seasons of the UEFA Champions League, Ruud never won the trophy.

2. Alessandro Del Piero - 20 goals

Top scorer of Juventus, second highest appearance holder in UEFA Champions League, top scorer for Juventus in European Competitions and much more. Alessandro Del Piero has had many accolades throughout his career. Del Piero managed to score 20 goals after 25 UCL games which is very impressive. He has also scored 10 goals in 10 Champions League matches which is his highest tally in a single UCL campaign. Overall Del Piero has scored 42 Champions League goals throughout his career.

1. Erling Haaland - 33 goals

The Norwegian goalscoring machine, Pep Guardiola has finally found the adequate replacement for Kun Aguero. Haaland has broken various records with Dortmund and especially with Manchester City. However his Champions League record is arguably the most impressive. After netting a goal against Bayern Munich, Haaland has now scored 33 Champions League goals in 25 games.

This is the most impressive and highest feat in the history of the competition. Surpassing records of the likes of Messi, Neymar, and many more, Haaland is enroute to score more goals. It is possible that Haaland can end up amongst the top topscorers of the UEFA Champions League if he's consistent.