Robert Lewandowski equals Lionel Messi Champions League record

Author: BB Sport News

Lewandowski reached the landmark in Barcelona’s 4-1 win over Copenhagen

Robert Lewandowski equalled a long-standing Champions League record held by Lionel Messi on Wednesday night, further underlining his remarkable longevity at the top of European football.

The Barcelona striker scored in his side’s 4–1 victory over Copenhagen to become the player who has found the net against the highest number of different opponents in Champions League history. Lewandowski’s goal against the Danish champions took his tally to 40 different teams, drawing him level with Messi.

Messi reached the milestone during his Champions League career with both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, while Lewandowski has achieved the feat across spells with Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

The Polish forward had already moved clear of Cristiano Ronaldo in the previous matchday after scoring against Slavia Prague, taking his tally beyond Ronaldo’s record of 38 different opponents.

Now, at the age of 37, Lewandowski sits alongside Messi at the top of yet another elite European ranking.

The goal against Copenhagen also extended Lewandowski’s extraordinary Champions League scoring record. He now has 107 goals in the competition, sitting third in the light of  highest scorers in Champions League history, behind only Ronaldo (140) and Messi (129).

In terms of his Barcelona career, the strike carried additional significance. Lewandowski has now scored 21 Champions League goals for the club, moving him above current Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique and into joint fourth place on Barcelona’s all-time list.

Neymar and Patrick Kluivert are also tied on 21 goals, while Luis Suárez and Rivaldo sit second and third respectively with 25. Messi remains Barcelona’s leading scorer in the competition with an astonishing 120 goals.

Goals after turning 30: Nearing Cristiano Ronaldo

Perhaps most striking is Lewandowski’s output in the latter stages of his career. Since turning 30, he has scored 62 Champions League goals in 68 appearances, averaging 0.91 goals per game.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo has managed more goals in the competition after the age of 30, with 68.

As Lewandowski continues his 15th consecutive Champions League season, his latest milestone serves as further proof that age has done little to dull his effectiveness. In an era dominated by Messi and Ronaldo, the Polish striker’s consistency has earned him a place alongside the competition’s true greats.

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