Champions League Top Scorers: All-Time Rankings and 2025/26 Season Update
London, 18 February 2026 – As the knockout rounds of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League commence, the race for the Golden Boot and the pursuit of all-time records remain the focal points of European football. While Cristiano Ronaldo continues to hold the historic record for the most goals in the competition’s history, the current campaign is seeing a fierce battle between established stars and emerging talents.
All-Time Leading Goalscorers
The pantheon of Champions League greats is still headed by Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains the only player to surpass the 140-goal mark in the competition. Lionel Messi follows in second place, while Robert Lewandowski continues to extend his lead as the highest-scoring active player currently competing in European top-flight football. Recent data confirms that Vinícius Júnior has also made significant strides, moving into second place among Brazilian scorers, trailing only Neymar.
Key Statistics: All-Time and Current Season
The following table outlines the historical leaders and the frontrunners for the current 2025/26 campaign as of the February knockout stages.
| Category | Player | Details |
|---|---|---|
| All-Time Top Scorer | Cristiano Ronaldo | 141 Goals |
| All-Time Second Place | Lionel Messi | 129 Goals |
| Active Leader (Europe) | Robert Lewandowski | 107 Goals |
| 2025/26 Season Leader | Kylian Mbappé | 13 Goals |
| 2025/26 Second Place | Harry Kane | 8 Goals |
| 2024/25 Top Scorer | Raphinha / Serhou Guirassy | 13 Goals (Shared) |
Current Season Narrative: 2025/26
Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé has established a commanding lead in the 2025/26 Golden Boot race, having already netted 13 goals as the tournament enters its most critical phase. He is followed by Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane. The competition remains high-scoring, following a 2024/25 season where Barcelona’s Raphinha and Serhou Guirassy shared the honours at the top of the charts.
In the Women’s Champions League, the competition is equally tight. Alessia Russo and Caroline Weir have recently moved into a four-way tie at the top of the 2025/26 scoring charts, while Ada Hegerberg maintains her status as the all-time leading scorer in the history of the women’s competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has scored the most goals in a single Champions League season?
Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in a single season, scoring 17 goals for Real Madrid during the 2013/14 campaign.
Is Lionel Messi still playing in the UEFA Champions League?
No. While Lionel Messi remains the second-highest scorer in the competition’s history with 129 goals, he is no longer active in European club football, meaning Robert Lewandowski is the closest active challenger to his and Ronaldo’s records.
Which Brazilian has the most goals in the competition?
Neymar remains the highest-scoring Brazilian in Champions League history with 43 goals. However, Vinícius Júnior has recently surpassed Kaká to move into second place among his compatriots.
How many goals does Kylian Mbappé have in the 2025/26 season?
As of 18 February 2026, Kylian Mbappé leads the current campaign with 13 goals for Real Madrid.