The UEFA Champions League is the playground for the best in the world - the crème de la crème of football. For any striker, finishing as the top scorer in that competition is one of the highest honours. It an honour to finish as top goals scorer UEFA Champions League.

Since the competition was first rebranded in 1992, we've seen a real who's who of talent finish as a Champions League top scorer, as well as one or two names which might come as somewhat of a surprise.

2011/12 - Lionel Messi (14 Goals)

Just the 14 goals for Messi this year, and his Barcelona side didn't even reach the final.

Five goals in a 7-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen certainly helped his cause, but he failed to break down Chelsea's wall in the semi-final, hitting the bar with a penalty, and had to watch as the Blues went on to lift the trophy.

2012/13 - Cristiano Ronaldo ( 12 Goals)

And here's where the Ronaldo party really starts.

The Real Madrid man managed 12 goals in as many games, including one in both meetings with former employers United in the last 16, but a stunning collapse against Borussia Dortmund in the semis ended the fun there.

2013/14 - Cristiano Ronaldo ( 17 Goals)

What makes this even crazier than it already is is that Ronaldo actually missed two games in the season and failed to score in another, so his goals all came across just ten matches.

2014/15 - Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar ( 10 Goals)

How's that for a collection of talent?

We'll start with Ronaldo, whose Real side fell to Juventus in the semis despite a goal from Ronaldo in both legs.

However, his accomplishment was overshadowed by Barcelona duo Messi and Neymar, who both bagged ten goals as Barçelona cruised to yet another title, with Neymar particularly stealing the show late on.

2015/16 - Cristiano Ronaldo ( 16 Goals)

This year, Ronaldo's goals largely came in bulk: four against Malmö, three against Shakhtar Donetsk and another three against Wolfsburg.

He completely overwhelmed the rest of the competition, although he was quiet in the final as Los Blancos managed to beat Atlético Madrid on penalties.

2016/17 - Cristiano Ronaldo ( 12 Goals)

Ronaldo led Real to yet another title in the 2016/17 season, and he did so with a comparatively modest 12 goals.

It had actually been a quiet tournament for Ronaldo, who had just two goals to his name by the time the quarter-final arrived.

He bagged five across two legs against Bayern Munich before hitting another hat-trick against Atlético in the semis, and a double in the final was the perfect cherry on the cake.

2017/18 - Cristiano Ronaldo ( 15 Goals)

Another year, another top scorer prize and another Champions League title for Ronaldo.Unlike previous years, the Portugal international's stream of goals was pretty steady.

He scored in his first ten games of the competition, but his scoring was done by the time the semi-final arrived.

2018/19 - Lionel Messi ( 12 Goals)

The 2018/19 tournament started off so well for Messi. In fact, up until the second leg of the semi-final, it was all perfect. Messi had bagged 12 goals against the likes of PSV, Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool.

He looked set to lead Barça to another title... only for Divock Origi to spoil the day in the most spectacular fashion!

2019/20 - Robert Lewandowski ( 15 Goals)

Breaking the reign of dominance shared by Ronaldo and Messi was Bayern's Robert Lewandowski, whose 15 goals had him five ahead of Dortmund's Erling Haaland in second place.

The Poland international only failed to score in one of his appearances in the Champions League, the final, but a slow day at the office for Lewandowski didn't stop Bayern from lifting the trophy at PSG's expense.

2021/22 - Erling Haaland ( 10 Goals)

Erling Haaland was the key man for Borussia Dortmund this year's and UEFA champions league, with 10 goals to his name.

Most of the goals came in the group stage, which BVB dominated yet they could just make the round of 16 this year.

Haaland will look to score more goals in the UEFA Champions League in the upcoming season for Manchester City.

As we approach the conclusion of another UEFA Champions League season, another name will be added to Top Goals Scorer in UEFA Champions League.

Football, the beautiful game, is all about scoring goals and preventing someone from scoring goals. Whoever scores more goals wins a football game; that is why the goal scorers are one of the most important parts of a football team. With Erling Haaland becoming the first since Austria’s Hans Krankl in 1977 to score five goals in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match, the question was raised about who has scored the most goals in an official football match.

Haaland’s five goals in FIFA World Cup qualifiers 

Inspired by Haaland’s remarkable accomplishment, scoring five times against Moldova to help Norway win 11-1 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, we decided to explore records for goal scorers in official matches.

Haaland, who already shares the record for most goals in a UEFA Champions League game (which we’ll discuss soon), looked dangerous from the start. Despite a cut on his face from a bus accident the previous day, he found the net in the 11’, 36’, 43’, 52’, and 83’ minutes at Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion.

But is this the most goals by a footballer in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match? The answer is NO.

Most goals in a FIFA World Cup qualifier match

Australia’s Archie Thompson holds the record for scoring the highest number of goals in a single FIFA World Cup qualifier match.

In the 2002 qualifying match, Thompson scored 13 goals against American Samoa, as the Aussies recorded a 31-0 win, the biggest victory in an international football match ever.

Read Also: FIFA World Cup 2026: Teams qualified so far.

Has anyone scored five goals in a World Cup match?

Since we are talking about the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, let’s know who has scored the most goals in a FIFA World Cup match.

Actually, only once has someone scored five goals in a FIFA World Cup match. Oleg Salenko of Russia scored five goals in a 6-1 win over Cameroon in the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the USA. This is still the record for the most goals scored in a FIFA World Cup match.

Read Also: 10 Footballers Who Retired And Came Back

Most goals in a UEFA Champions League match

Since we were talking about Haaland scoring five goals in a UEFA Champions League match, let’s get to know who has scored the most goals in a UEFA Champions League match.

Paul Van Himst, Gerd Müller, Claudio Sulser, Søren Lerby, Lionel Messi, Luiz Adriano, and Erling Haaland have the record of scoring five goals in a single UEFA Champions League match, which is the highest in the tournament’s history.

Read Also: 11 players who have won the most trophies in football history.

Most goals in an official football match

Now, with any further delay, let’s get into the stat you have come here to know. Who has scored the most goals in a single official match? 

The record we will talk about is obviously taking first-class or fully professional matches for the country or club into consideration.

In Men’s football and overall, Yanick Manzizila of Sweden broke the record for the most goals scored in an official match by a player. Manzilila, in 2014, while playing for a club named Kongo United in the 9th division of Swedish football, scored 21 goals as Kongo United defeated Balrog Botkyrka Sodertalje by 30-0.

In Women’s football, Megi Doçi recently scored 16 goals in the 2024–25 Kategoria Superiore Femra on 16 March 2025. While playing for KFF Vllaznia, she surpassed her previous record of 14 goals as her team defeated KFF Lushnja by 23-0. 

Hello and welcome to our LIVE blog coverage of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase Draw.

I’m Barnali Debnath, here to bring you all the latest updates, insights, and reactions as the groups for this prestigious tournament are unveiled.

Tonight’s draw will set the stage for one of the most exciting and competitive seasons in European club football, with top teams from across the continent finding out their opponents and potential paths to glory.

Read Also: 20 Most expensive teenagers in football transfer history [2025]

Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates, expert analysis, and breaking news as the drama of the draw unfolds.

Whether you’re a passionate fan or a football enthusiast, this is your go-to destination for everything related to the Champions League draw

Hello and welcome to our LIVE blog coverage of the highly anticipated La Liga clash between Levante and FC Barcelona for the 2025-26 season.

I’m Barnali Debnath, bringing you minute-by-minute updates, expert commentary, and all the latest news from this exciting encounter.

Both teams are eager to make a strong statement early in the campaign, with Levante aiming to leverage their home advantage and Barcelona looking to assert their dominance with their star-studded lineup.

Stay tuned here for live scores, tactical insights, key moments, and post-match analysis as the drama unfolds on the pitch.

Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a neutral fan, this is your go-to spot for comprehensive coverage of Levante vs FC Barcelona!

As the most popular sport, football is watched and played by people all over the country, ranging from professional leagues, to youth teams, and even families in their yards. But how much do you really know about your favourite footballers? Do you know many famous footballers actually don't use their real names in their professional careers?

Many footballers' real names are distinctly different from what are effectively stage names they use for their professional careers. Many figures even choose to go by relatively shorter names to make it easier for people all over the world to remember them by.

Let’s go ahead and dive into some real names of famous footballers you probably don't know.

Also Read: 15 football records that might ever be broken

Real Names of Famous Footballers

1. Dele Alli

• Real Name- Bamidele Jermaine Alli

Dele Alli's full name is Bamidele Jermaine Alli. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by "Dele Alli". Dele Alli used to be a big name in the round leather game some years back. When he was 20, he was already considered as English football’s biggest rising star.

2. Raphinha

• Real Name- Raphael Dias Belloli

Raphinha's full name is 'Raphael Dias Belloli'. He does not use his full name professionally and instead goes by Raphinha. Raphinha is known for his skills in dribbling, pace, and creativity on the field. He currently plays as a winger for Leeds United in the English Premier League.

3. Moises Caicedo

• Real Name- Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo

Caicedo's real name is  'Moisés Isaac Caicedo Corozo'. He is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for the English club Chelsea from Brighton & Hove Albion and for the national team of Ecuador. He is a versatile player with ability to control the tempo of the game.

4. Cole Palmer

• Real Name- Cole Jermaine Palmer

Cole Palmer's full name is 'Cole Jermaine Palmer'. He is regarded as one of the best attacking midfielders in the world. The English footballer plays as an attacking midfielder or winger for Premier League club Chelsea and the England national team.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

5. Kaka

• Real Name- Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite

Kaka is arguably one of the defining footballers of his generation. The Brazilian was the last player to win a Ballon d'Or before the decade-long duopoly between Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Kaka has several major honours to his name, including a FIFA World Cup, a UEFA Champions League, and an endless list of individual awards.

6. Van Gaal

• Real Name- Aloysius Paulus Maria van Gaal

Van Gaal's full name is Aloysius Paulus Maria 'Louis' van Gaal. To some, He's one of the best managers of the past two decades, willing to sacrifice style for substance and flair for formality. To others, he’s an unnerving disciplinarian, an expert at alienating his players and fans. Whatever side of the fence you fall, few will doubt that Louis van Gaal is one of the most pragmatic managers in the modern game.

7. Fikayo Tomori

• Real Name- Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola Tomori

Oluwafikayomi Oluwadamilola "Fikayo" Tomori is an English professional footballer known for his defensive skill as a center-back, currently playing for Serie A club AC Milan and the England national team.

8. Cristiano Ronaldo

• Real Name- Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro

Cristiano Ronaldo aka Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro is still plying his trade in the professional game for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia. However, he is already considered one of the greatest players of all time. Ronaldo has won five Ballon d'Or awards in his illustrious career, which is a record only bettered by a certain Argentine forward.

Also Read: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World [2025]

9. Bukayo Saka

• Real Name- Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka

Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka is an English professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team. He is often hailed as one of the greatest football players in the world. 

10. Lamine Yamal

• Real Name- Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana

Lamine Yamal Nasraoui Ebana, also known as Lamine Yamal, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right winger for La Liga club Barcelona and the Spain national team. 

11. Pepe

• Real Name- Kepler Laveran de Lima Ferreira

Former Real Madrid star Pepe is quite commonly regarded as one of the best and most aggressive defenders of his time. The centre-back is still playing European football at the age of 38, and put in a string of magnificent displays in the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. The Portuguese rolled back the years against Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus with a breathtaking showing to knock them out of the UCL.

In 2025, some of the world’s top athletes are earning huge amounts of money through their sports, brand deals and businesses. These athletes come from football, basketball, golf and other popular games. Their earnings include salaries, match winnings and endorsements from big companies. Let’s take a look at the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world and see how much they are earning.

Also Read: Women in Sports: Highest-paid women athletes in the world [2025]

10 Highest-Paid Athletes in the World

10. Kevin Durant | $101.4M

Kevin Durant’s Suns may not have made the playoffs, but his financial game stayed elite. His total earnings combine a $51.4 million salary with $50 million in off-court earnings through Boardroom Media and investments in Paris Saint-Germain.

He even has a soon-to-debut Netflix docuseries. His tequila brand, real estate moves, and a collaboration with Fanatics round out a sharp portfolio.

9. Shohei Ohtani | $102.5M

Though his Dodgers salary is deferred, Shohei Ohtani still walked away with $2.5 million in earnings plus postseason bonuses. But the reason he made it to this top-earners list is his headlining brand power.

Out of the total $102.5 million, $100 million came from endorsement deals across Japan and the U.S. That includes New Balance, Seiko, Beats by Dre, and a record-breaking Topps trading card sale.

8. Karim Benzema | $104M

The first footballer to enter the top 10, and for the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, most of Karim Benzema's earnings have come from his hefty salary from his contract with Al-Ittihad, where he earns over $2 million a week, resulting in a $100 million annual salary. 

Sponsors like Adidas remain loyal, even as he embraces a quieter lifestyle far from the European spotlight. Rumors now swirl about a possible shift to Major League Soccer as the 2026 World Cup nears.

7. Juan Soto | $114M

Juan Soto shattered expectations after signing a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets, even by baseball’s high-spending standards. His on-field take hit $109 million. And thanks to the buzz he generated, the Mets’ ticket sales surged following his signing. 

At just 26, Juan’s popularity and endorsements by the likes of Call of Duty and top Dominican brands have made him baseball’s financial poster boy, earning $114 million this year.

6. LeBron James | $133.8M

LeBron James has amassed $133.8M, appearing in the sixth position. After more than two decades in the NBA spotlight, LeBron is still making history, not just on the court but also in his bank account.

While his Lakers stint earned him $48.8 million in salary, the larger story is off-court. His production company, SpringHill, is scaling up through a major merger, and he inked a deal to become the first athlete turned Ken doll.

5. Lionel Messi | $135M

Although he is the second-highest paid soccer player, Lionel Messi only ranks as the fifth-highest paid athlete. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner brought home $135 million.

To millions of people, Messi will forever be soccer’s GOAT. Naturally, his arrival in Major League Soccer wasn’t a mere player acquisition for Inter Miami but a transformative event for the league’s global standing. While his $60 million salary is a substantial figure, his endorsements with Adidas and Apple, alongside his own Mas+ beverage, earn him even more, around $75 million.

Also Read: 20 Highest-Paid Footballers in Saudi Pro League History

4. Dak Prescott | $137M

Dak Prescott, American professional football quarterback who plays for the Dallas Cowboys, earns $137 million this year. This quarterback-turned-financial-play-caller knows how to read a market as well as a defense. 

First, Prescott made history with a contract structure that paid him $127 million in salary and bonuses within 12 months. Next were endorsements with Jordan Brand and Lowe’s that added another $10 million to his name. He’s also building a gym empire in Texas via Crunch Fitness partnerships.

3. Tyson Fury | $146M

Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury's income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show named “At Home With the Furys.”

2. Stephen Curry | $156M

Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry comes 2nd on the list of highest-paid athletes of the year, earning $156 million. Curry became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers in March this year. 

Of Curry's $156 million haul, $100 million comes from off-court dealings, including a major extension with Under Armour’s Curry Brand. He’s invested in everything from hydration startups to women’s basketball leagues. On the hardwood, he still drains threes while mentoring future stars at Davidson, where he now serves as an assistant GM.

Also Read: Most International Goals by Active Players (2025)

1. Cristiano Ronaldo | $275M

For the third year in a row, and the fifth time overall, Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s highest-paid athlete. At age 40, the Portuguese soccer superstar is reaching new highs.

Over the past 12 months, counting both his playing salary at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr and his off-field business endeavors, Ronaldo collected an estimated $275 million before taxes and agent fees - the third-best year by an active athlete ever measured by Forbes. On that all-time list, Ronaldo is surpassed only by boxer Floyd Mayweather, who earned $300 million in 2015 and $285 million in 2018.