Mbappe Closes Gap on Ronaldo and Messi with Stunning Champions League Record
Kylian Mbappé has now secured his position as the sixth highest goalscorer in Champions League history, bringing him closer to the legendary status of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the tournament's record books.
The French striker extended his impressive form in the 2025–26 season, netting a hat-trick during Real Madrid's commanding 5–0 triumph against Kairat. Mbappé converted his opening goal from the penalty spot, followed by a clever chip over the keeper on a swift counter-attack for his second, before completing his treble with a powerful right-footed strike from the box's perimeter.
At merely 26 years of age, Mbappé has now scored 60 goals in Champions League competition. The Real Madrid striker, who had previously shared the record with Thomas Müller on the tournament's all-time scoring chart, now holds exclusive ownership of the sixth position.
Mbappé achieved this milestone in only 89 matches on Europe's premier stage; Müller required 163 games to reach his total of 57 goals.
Top 10 Champions League Goalscorers in History
Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | 140 |
2 | Lionel Messi | 129 |
3 | Roberto Lewandowski | 105 |
4 | Karim Benzema | 90 |
5 | Raúl | 71 |
6 | Kylian Mbappé | 60 |
7 | Thomas Müller | 57 |
8 | Ruud van Nistelrooy | 56 |
T-9 | Thierry Henry | 50 |
T-9 | Erling Haaland | 50 |
*Excludes qualifying goals.
Mbappé now ranks higher than several football legends, including Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy. Should the French international maintain his exceptional scoring rate, he could potentially surpass Real Madrid icon Raúl before the 2025–26 campaign concludes.
A significant distance remains between Mbappé and the top four scorers on the list: Ronaldo, Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Karim Benzema. However, with every match played, the former Paris Saint-Germain sensation moves incrementally closer to joining this elite group of football superstars.
Indeed, the striker has become only the sixth player in history to score 60 goals in Champions League competition.
Mbappé is also pursuing the legacies of Ronaldo and Benzema at Real Madrid. The 26-year-old has netted 57 times since joining the Spanish giants, establishing numerous records throughout his journey.
When compared to Ronaldo, widely regarded as the greatest Champions League player ever, Mbappé reached his 60-goal milestone nine matches faster.