Champions League

Champions League 40-goal club: Karim Benzema closes gap back on Robert Lewandowski

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 10 March 2022

Sports Mole looks at the latest standings in the Champions League 40-goal club following Karim Benzema's hat-trick for Real Madrid against Paris Saint-Germain.

Karim Benzema fired Real Madrid into the quarter-finals of the Champions League in remarkable fashion last night, hitting a hat-trick to complete an incredible turnaround against Paris Saint-Germain.

A goal in each leg from Kylian Mbappe had seemingly put PSG in control of the tie at half time in the second leg, only for the French giants to capitulate.

Benzema's first came from an error from Gianluigi Donnarumma, before he levelled things up on aggregate and then completed his hat-trick less than 11 seconds after the restart from that second goal.

The Frenchman's masterful display sees him pull further clear of fellow Real Madrid legend Raul in the all-time Champions League scoring list, closing the gap on third-placed Robert Lewandowski back to six goals after the Pole also helped himself to a hat-trick in midweek.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the latest standings in the 40-goal club following Benzema's heroics, plus goalless displays from Lionel Messi and Neymar.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus)

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Villarreal in the Champions League on September 29, 2021 © Reuters

Goals: 140
Appearances: 182
Ratio: 0.77

2. Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain)

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for Paris Saint-Germain in November 2021 © Reuters

Goals: 125
Appearances: 156
Ratio: 0.80

3. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their third goal to complete his hat-trick on March 8, 2022 © Reuters

Goals: 85
Appearances: 104
Ratio: 0.82

4. Karim Benzema (Lyon, Real Madrid)

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring their third goal on March 9, 2022 © Reuters

Goals: 79
Appearances: 137
Ratio: 0.58

5. Raul (Real Madrid, Schalke 04)

Raul in action for Real Madrid in 2009 © Reuters

Goals: 71
Appearances: 142
Ratio: 0.50

6. Ruud van Nistelrooy (PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, Real Madrid)

Ruud van Nistelrooy for Manchester United © Reuters

Goals: 56
Appearances: 73
Ratio: 0.77

7. Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller celebrates their third goal scored by Jamal Musiala on December 8, 2021 © Reuters

Goals: 52
Appearances: 132
Ratio: 0.38

8. Thierry Henry (Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona)

Thierry Henry celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Sparta Prague in the Champions League on October 18, 2005 © Reuters

Goals: 50
Appearances: 112
Ratio: 0.45

9. Alfredo Di Stefano (Real Madrid)

Goals: 49
Appearances: 58
Ratio: 0.84

10. Andriy Shevchenko (Dynamo Kiev, AC Milan, Chelsea)

Andriy Shevchenko pictured for AC Milan in 2006 © Reuters

Goals: 48
Appearances: 100
Ratio: 0.48

11. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain)

AC Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring their second goal on September 12, 2021 © Reuters

Goals: 48
Appearances: 124
Ratio: 0.39

12. Eusebio (Benfica)

Eusebio pictured for Benfica during his playing career © Reuters

Goals: 46
Appearances: 65
Ratio: 0.71

13. Filippo Inzaghi (Juventus, AC Milan)

Goals: 46
Appearances: 81
Ratio: 0.57

14. Didier Drogba (Marseille, Chelsea, Galatasaray)

Goals: 44
Appearances: 92
Ratio: 0.48

15. Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)

Goals: 42
Appearances: 89
Ratio: 0.47

16. Neymar (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain)

Goals: 41
Appearances: 75
Ratio: 0.55

17. Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, Manchester City)

Goals: 41
Appearances: 79
Ratio: 0.52

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Mauricio Pochettino in charge of Paris Saint-Germain in December 2021