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Champions League 40-goal club: Erling Haaland joins elite group in record time

Champions League 40-goal club: Erling Haaland joins elite group in record time
© Reuters
Manchester City's Erling Haaland bursts into the Champions League 40-goal club in record time, while Kylian Mbappe moves level with his former PSG teammate Neymar.

Erling Haaland smashed the record for the fastest player to 40 Champions League goals courtesy of his strike in Manchester City's come-from-behind win over RB Leipzig on Tuesday night.

The Norwegian goal machine pulled the first goal back for his side as they recovered from 2-0 down at the Etihad Stadium to win 3-2 and secure top spot in Group G.

It was his 40th Champions League goal in just his 35th appearance in the competition, becoming just the 20th player in history to reach that mark and doing so in 10 games fewer than the next fastest, Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Haaland will now look to continue his rapid ascent up the Champions League's all-time scoring list, with one of his predecessors as Man City's leading marksman, Sergio Aguero, next in his sights.

Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Kylian Mbappe's hugely controversial penalty to rescue a point for Paris Saint-Germain at home to Newcastle United also saw him move level with his former Parc des Princes teammate Neymar on 43 goals in the competition.

Here, Sports Mole looks at the latest standings in the 40-goal club after Tuesday's action.



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: 183
Ratio: 0.77



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

Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for Paris Saint-Germain against Benfica on October 5, 2022© Reuters

Goals: 129
Appearances: 163
Ratio: 0.79



3. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona)

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski on September 23, 2023© Reuters

Goals: 92
Appearances: 115
Ratio: 0.80



4. Karim Benzema (Lyon, Real Madrid)

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema celebrates scoring against Chelsea on April 12, 2023© Reuters

Goals: 90
Appearances: 152
Ratio: 0.59



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)

Thomas Muller in action for Bayern Munich on September 30, 2022© Reuters

Goals: 53
Appearances: 145
Ratio: 0.37



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)

Filippo Inzaghi celebrates for AC Milan in 2010© Reuters

Goals: 46
Appearances: 81
Ratio: 0.57



15. Mohamed Salah (Basel, Roma, Liverpool)

Liverpool attacker Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring against Rangers on October 11, 2022© Reuters

Goals: 44
Appearances: 79
Ratio: 0.56



15. Didier Drogba (Marseille, Chelsea, Galatasaray)

Didier Drogba with the Champions League trophy in 2012.© Reuters

Goals: 44
Appearances: 92
Ratio: 0.48



16. Kylian Mbappe (Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain)

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first goal on November 28, 2023© Reuters

Goals: 43
Appearances: 66
Ratio: 0.65



17. Neymar (Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain)

Neymar celebrates scoring for Paris Saint-Germain on August 21, 2022© Reuters

Goals: 43
Appearances: 81
Ratio: 0.53



18. Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus)

Alessandro Del Piero celebrates scoring for Juventus in 1998© Reuters

Goals: 42
Appearances: 89
Ratio: 0.47



19. Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, Manchester City)

Sergio Aguero in action for Manchester City on March 10, 2021© Reuters

Goals: 41
Appearances: 79
Ratio: 0.52



20. Erling Haaland (Red Bull Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City)

Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates after the match on November 28, 2023© Reuters

Goals: 40
Appearances: 35
Ratio: 1.14


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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


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