Lionel Messi is now the all-time leading scorer in the history of the UEFA Champions League with 72 goals. The Barcelona star equaled the record set by Raul on Matchday 4, scoring twice against Ajax. He set the new record on Matchday 5 against APOEL.
Lionel Messi becomes all-time leading Champions League goalscorer
It was only a matter of time before Raul’s record fell.
Messi tied the record in just 90 Champions League games, scoring at a much better clip than the Madrid legend. Raul finished his Champions League career with 142 appearances. He first appeared in the 1995-96 Champions League and final campaign was in 2010-11.
Raul, many will be surprised to learn, only scored one of his Champions League goals from the penalty spot. Messi, in contrast, has eight goals from the spot, as well as two from direct free kicks and 61 from open play.
Champions League
While Messi will hold this record for at least one day, he's likely to trade blows with his biggest individual competitive rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, for the remainder of their respective careers. Ronaldo currently sits on 70 Champions League goals, and both players should pass each other multiple times before they call it quits on football at the highest level.
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