10 Fastest Players to Reach 50 Champions League Goals
Scoring 50 goals in the Champions League is a milestone that cements a striker’s legacy among the elite. While some legends have needed more than 100 games to achieve it, others have smashed the barrier in record time. Here’s the countdown of the 10 quickest players to reach the half-century mark in Europe’s greatest competition, starting with number 10 and building up to the fastest of them all.
10. Thomas Müller – Bayern Munich (130 Games)
Thomas Müller needed 130 appearances to score his 50th goal, the slowest on this list. Still, his longevity, versatility, and loyalty to Bayern Munich make his achievement remarkable. He has racked up over 55 goals and 34 assists in the Champions League, all for one club.
9. Thierry Henry – Arsenal & Barcelona (103 Games)
Thierry Henry’s pace, skill, and finishing ability made him a nightmare for defenders. He scored his 50th goal in 103 matches, shining with Arsenal and later Barcelona, where he finally lifted the trophy in 2009. Interestingly, he ended his career right on the 50-goal milestone.
8. Raúl González – Real Madrid & Schalke (97 Games)
Raúl was the face of Real Madrid in the Champions League for more than a decade. He reached 50 goals in 97 games and won the competition three times. As Madrid’s third all-time scorer, his place in history is secure, even if he was later overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo.
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7. Cristiano Ronaldo – Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid & Juventus (91 Games)
Cristiano Ronaldo may have taken 91 games to reach 50 goals, but he went on to become the all-time top scorer with 140. Nicknamed “Mr. Champions League,” he won the competition five times and dominated European nights like no other. His legacy in the tournament remains unmatched.
6. Karim Benzema – Lyon & Real Madrid (88 Games)
Benzema needed 88 appearances to hit the 50-goal mark, quicker than his famous teammate Ronaldo. A crucial part of Real Madrid’s dynasty, he won four Champions League titles with the club. His total of 90 goals cements him as one of the competition’s greatest forwards.
5. Kylian Mbappé – Monaco, PSG & Real Madrid (79 Games)
Mbappé reached 50 goals in just 79 matches, outpacing the two Madrid legends he now follows. His blistering speed and clinical finishing have carried him through at Monaco, PSG, and Real Madrid. Already a Champions League winner, he looks set to climb even higher up the scoring charts.
4. Robert Lewandowski – Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich & Barcelona (77 Games)
Lewandowski reached 50 goals in 77 appearances, establishing himself as one of the most consistent strikers in modern football. Even at 36, he continues to score freely in Europe, boasting over 100 goals in the competition. His poise and power in the box keep him among the best.
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3. Lionel Messi – Barcelona (66 Games)
Messi hit 50 goals in only 66 games, despite playing deeper in his early career. His incredible dribbling and vision made him both a creator and scorer on Europe’s biggest stage. At just 24 years and 284 days, he became the youngest player ever to reach the landmark.
2. Ruud van Nistelrooy – PSV, Manchester United, Real Madrid & Hamburg (62 Games)
Van Nistelrooy was a penalty-box predator who reached 50 goals in only 62 matches. Despite never winning or even reaching a Champions League final, his lethal finishing made him one of Europe’s deadliest strikers. For years, he held the record as the fastest to the milestone.
1. Erling Haaland – RB Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund & Manchester City (49 Games)
Haaland smashed Van Nistelrooy’s long-standing record, hitting 50 goals in just 49 appearances. Nicknamed “The Robot,” the Norwegian has scored all types of goals — from towering headers to thunderous strikes. Already a Champions League winner, his frightening scoring rate suggests many more records will fall.
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