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Lionel Messi Cristiano Ronaldo Champions LeagueGetty/Goal

What is the record for most Champions League goals in a single season?

Winning the Champions League trophy the biggest honour in European club football.

Earning the coveted title of continental European champion is one thing, but managing to score the most goals in a single Champions League season is a feat on its own.

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So which player has scored the most Champions League goals? Goal takes a look.

What is the record for most Champions League goals scored in a season?

Cristiano Ronaldo currently holds the record for scoring the most Champions League goals in a single campaign, netting 17 times playing for Real Madrid during the 2013-14 season.

Real Madrid were eventually crowned champions that campaign, beating local rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 in the final in Lisbon with the Portugal star converting a penalty deep into extra-time.

The victory was the year of La Decima for the Spanish giants, winning a record 10th European cup trophy.

In fact, the now-Al-Nassr striker currently occupies the top three spots of the Champions League season scoring charts. He netted 16 times in the 2015-16 campaign, and 15 in 2017-18 - both for Real.

His former rival at Barcelona, Lionel Messi, occupies the fourth spot with 14 goals. The Argentina international shares a tally of 12 strikes with Ronaldo once again as well as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Robert Lewandowski.

SeasonPlayerClubGoals
2013-14Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid17
2015-16Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid 16
2017-18Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid15
2019-20Robert LewandowskiBayern Munich15
2021-22Karim BenzemaReal Madrid14
2011-12Lionel Messi Barcelona14
2021-22Robert LewandowskiBayern Munich13
2018-19Lionel MessiBarcelona12
2016-17Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid12
2012-13Cristiano RonaldoReal Madrid 12
2010-11Lionel MessiBarcelona12
2002-03Ruud van Nistelrooy Manchester United12
2012-13Mario GomezBayern Munich12

*Last updated February 2023

While Ronaldo holds the record for most goals scored in the European top-flight, Radamel Falcao set the record for most Europa League goals netted in a single campaign (18) for Porto in the 2010-11 season.

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