Real Madrid's all-time Champions League top scorers

When you think of a side rising to the occasion, you think of Real Madrid.

And when you think of Real Madrid, you think of their dominance in the European Cup and Champions League - competitions they have won a record 14 times.

Madrid have housed some of the finest players to ever play the game, with many achieving legendary status in the Spanish capital for their exploits in Europe. But who has led the charge and scored the goals?

Here are Real Madrid's greatest goalscorers since the reformatting of the Champions League.

31. Toni Kroos

Appearances: 104
Goals: 5

A master of his craft, Kroos waits until he can score a banger from distance to net in the Champions League.

Goalscoring isn't really his thing, but the German did get two in the 2021/22 group stages.

30. Steve McManaman

Appearances: 43
Goals: 5

Sure, he may not be everyone's favourite commentator, but this is about goalscoring and that's something McManaman was more than capable of.

The Liverpool legend said he decided to join Real so he could play Champions League football, and it ultimately proved to be a wise decision. He went on to win the competition twice, being named Player of the Match in the 2000 final.

29. Kaka

Appearances: 24
Goals: 5

Unfortunately for Florentino Perez, Madrid fans didn't get to see the best of Kaka. Injuries troubled the Brazilian magician during his time in Spain, but he still showed his artistry and quality before returning to Milan.

As well as grabbing five goals, Kaka provided 12 assists in the Champions League while at Real.

28. Robinho

Appearances: 21
Goals: 5

It's been quite the journey for Robinho. Once tipped by the legendary Pele to be his heir apparent at the age of 15, he later found himself becoming something of a journeyman.

He was a star in the making when he signed for Real, but despite putting out fairly respectable figures, Robinho's inconsistency proved his downfall.

27. Davor Suker

Appearances: 12
Goals: 5

During three seasons with the club, the charismatic Suker helped the club to four titles, including the Champions League.

Suker was a ruthless finisher and had an eye for the spectacular as well, with his perfectly-executed volley against Porto in 1997 just one of the many examples.

26. Casemiro

Appearances: 73
Goals: 6

Casemiro left Real Madrid for England and Manchester United in 2022, having dominated midfield battles for Los Blancos from the mid 2010s.

He popped up with the odd goal while at the Bernabeu. The Brazilian netted in the 2016/17 final and was never on the losing side when he scored for Real in the Champions League.

25. Isco

Appearances: 62
Goals: 6

An extremely gifted footballer, but also a very frustrating one to watch at points. Isco could never nail down a regular starting position with Real but played an important role as a squad player.

His most important goal came in the second leg of Real's semi final with Atletico in 2016/17, which ultimately killed off their rivals' chances of a comeback.

24. Fernando Hierro

Appearances: 68
Goals: 7

A true Real Madrid legend who perhaps still doesn't receive the amount of recognition he deserves for his stellar displays during his 14-year stay in Madrid.

For a player classified as more 'defensive-minded', Hierro sure knew where the goal was. He netted 127 times in just over 600 games in total.

23. Santiago Solari

Appearances: 48
Goals: 7

It's safe to say Solari's spell as a player at the Bernabeu was slightly more successful than his time in charge of the first team.

The hard-working midfielder featured over 200 times in total, winning the league twice as well as the Champions League.

22. Jose Callejon

Appearances: 9
Goals: 7

Well, this isn't exactly a bad return, is it? What is particularly impressive about Callejon's goal record is that he started just five of these nine games, mainly operating on the right wing.

In a list filled with some of Real's all-time greats, it's Callejon who has one of the best goal-to-game ratios.

21. Luka Modric

Appearances: 114
Goals: 8

A player whose game extends so much further beyond goals and assists, Modric was key to Real Madrid's European success during the 2010s.

What more needs to be said other than the fact he was the only player not named Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or between 2007 and 2019?

20. Gonzalo Higuain

Appearances: 48
Goals: 8

Despite the competition for places, Higuain still managed 121 goals in 264 games for Los Blancos.

His rise and progression during the early stages of his Real career was a joy to behold, with the obvious highlight being his outstanding 2009/10 campaign.

19. Angel Di Maria

Appearances: 39
Goals: 8

It's clear Di Maria never really wanted to be at Man Utd, despite claiming that they were the only club he would have left Real Madrid for.

He managed eight goals and 13 assists in 39 appearances for Real, helping them to Champions League glory once during his stay.

18. Marcelo

Appearances: 102
Goals: 9

Few are able to make the game look as simple as Marcelo does.

The Brazilian's ability to get forward and support attacks time and time again was key to Real's success for many years.

17. Zinedine Zidane

Appearances: 45
Goals: 9

Zinedine Zidane will forever be associated with one of the greatest goals in Champions League history. His simply unforgettable strike in the 2002 final against Bayer Leverkusen helped his side achieve Champions League glory.

The patience to watch the ball drop out of the sky and then the simply sublime technique to connect so sweetly made this goal nothing short of perfection.

16. Savio

Appearances: 35
Goals: 10

It was a fairly productive five years in Madrid for Savio, winning the Champions League on three occasions. Could be worse, eh?

Savio managed just 16 goals and 15 assists in 105 league games for Real, but in Europe, he got 20 goal contributions in only 35 appearances.

15. Marco Asensio

Appearances: 59
Goals: 12

Marco Asensio's career at Real Madrid falls into one particular category; stop-start.

Still, he's a more than capable performer who can make the game look simple at times. He's had big moments in the UCL too, scoring in the 2017 final victory against Juventus.

14. Ronaldo

Appearances: 34
Goals: 13

Sometimes, football fans put aside their loyalties and recognise true brilliance from an opposing player. That's what happened at Old Trafford as the phenomenal Ronaldo effortlessly grabbed himself a stunning hat-trick against Man Utd in 2003.

The end result? A standing ovation from the Man Utd faithful as Ronaldo was substituted. He was that good.

13. Ruud van Nistelrooy

Appearances: 19
Goals: 13

One of the best finishers to have played the game, Van Nistelrooy netted 13 goals and provided a further seven assists in just 19 appearances in the competition.

In total, he managed 56 goals in 73 Champions League games for Manchester United, Real and PSV. Not bad, eh?

12. Sergio Ramos

Appearances: 129
Goals: 15

Love him or loathe him, there's no denying Sergio Ramos' world class talent as well as his impact at Real Madrid.

15 of his 100+ goals (yes, you read that right) have come in the Champions League, with that header against Atletico Madrid in the 2014 final a particular highlight.

11. Ivan Helguera

Appearances: 81
Goals: 15

Helguera's role change, moving from the midfield back into the centre of defence, didn't necessarily suit him, but he grew into it after Florentino Perez's decision not to sign another central defender.

The two-time winner of the competition never really received the plaudits he deserved, bringing stability to a back four which needed support.

10. Roberto Carlos

Appearances: 107
Goals: 16

One of the famed Galacticos, the left back role will forever be associated with Roberto Carlos' name. The Brazilian was vital to his side's Champions League success, whether it be defensively, from set pieces or going forward.

There are few quite like Roberto Carlos, a player who knew how to get the best out of himself - even when he was told he wasn't suited to the left back role. How wrong Roy was, eh?

9. Guti

Appearances: 97
Goals: 16

A true Madridista, Guti joined Real aged nine and worked his way up through the ranks, eventually going on to make 542 appearances for the first team.

Guti has three Champions League wins to his name, although he didn't actually feature in the final of any of those victories.

8. Luis Figo

Appearances: 58
Goals: 16

The Barcelona faithful's uproar at Figo's decision to cross the divide and make the switch to Real Madrid wasn't a surprise considering the rivalry between the two clubs. But it was also a clear indicator of their bitter disappointment at seeing such a remarkable talent move elsewhere.

Figo would go on to win the Champions League once (his only triumph), while he also picked up the Ballon d'Or in 2000.

7. Gareth Bale

Appearances: 57
Goals: 16

For a player who was made out to be the root of all of Real Madrid's problems, Bale sure does sit high up on this list, doesn't he?

Whatever opinions are out there and despite what the Spanish press have made out, Bale delivered on the big stage for Los Blancos and deserves far greater recognition for his efforts.

Oh, and among his 16 goals is that stunning overhead kick against Liverpool in the final.

6. Fernando Morientes

Appearances: 58
Goals: 17

Morientes netted 17 goals in 58 appearances in the white of Real before joining Monaco on loan - and yep, he finished that season as the competition's top goalscorer.

He scored in both legs against Real Madrid as well. Oops.

5. Vinicius Junior

Appearances: 50
Goals: 17

Vinicius went goalless in his first seven UCL games, but when he came of age in 2021 the strikes started flying in.

He has since become one of the best forwards in the world, playing a pivotal role in the 2022 success with the winner in the final victory over Liverpool.

4. Rodrygo

Appearances: 46
Goals: 18

Rodrygo has so far outgunned his compatriot Vini Jr in Europe, although the silky Brazilian has some way to go until he breaches the top three. Time is on his side, however.

A hat-trick against Galatasaray in 2019 announced him to the world, and the young forward would score crucial late goals against Chelsea and Manchester City in the knockout stages of the 2021/22 tournament.

3. Raul

Appearances: 130
Goals: 66

Real Madrid's all-time leading appearance-maker and the club's third top goalscorer as well, Raul was a true Madridista and the face of Los Blancos.

Not only did the three-time Champions League winner possess the kind of quality that had fans constantly gasping in anticipation during games, he also had the appetite and hunger to match as well. A Real Madrid legend.

2. Karim Benzema

Appearances: 133
Goals: 78

Benzema is the main man at Real and his numbers are improving year on year. He's as good as he's ever been and his game involves so much more than just finding the back of the net.

The former France international is up to second in Real's UCL scoring charts, but how close can he get to Ronaldo before hanging up his boots?

1. Cristiano Ronaldo

Appearances: 101
Goals: 105

105 goals in 101 Champions League games for Real Madrid.

The competition's all-time top goalscorer was nothing short of phenomenal for Real, leading his former club to Champions League glory four times during his stay.

Ronaldo also finished as top goalscorer in the Champions League on six occasions while with Los Blancos. One of the greatest of all time.

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