Mohamed Salah and Didier Drogba feature in Champions League’s all-time top 20 scorers

Mohamed Salah and Didier Drogba are among the 20 highest scorers in the history of the UEFA Champions League, underlining the influence of African football on Europe’s leading club competition.

Salah is 11th in the all-time standings with 54 goals, while former Cote d’Ivoire captain Drogba occupies 17th place with 44. Together, the two forwards have scored 98 goals in the competition.

The figures reflect the consistency and attacking quality both players displayed at the highest level of European football.

Salah 11th with 54 goals

The Egypt international built his Champions League record during spells with FC Basel, AS Roma and Liverpool.

Salah was particularly influential for Liverpool, where his goalscoring form established him as one of African football’s leading attacking figures in European competition. His 54 goals place him 11th in the historical ranking.

His record has been shaped by performances across several clubs, but his impact with Liverpool has been central to his standing among the competition’s most prolific scorers.

Drogba’s European legacy

Drogba scored 44 Champions League goals while playing for Olympique de Marseille, Chelsea and Galatasaray.

The former Elephants captain is ranked 17th, with many of his most significant contributions coming during his time at Chelsea. His performances in major matches helped cement his reputation and secure his place in European football history.

Salah and Drogba’s presence in the top 20 provides a measure of the enduring contribution made by African players in the Champions League. Their combined total of 98 goals also offers a lasting benchmark for younger footballers from the continent seeking to make their mark in the competition.

Champions League all-time leading scorers

| Rank | Player | Clubs | Goals | ||||:| | 1 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus | 140 | | 2 | Lionel Messi | Barcelona, PSG | 129 | | 3 | Robert Lewandowski | Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona | 109 | | 4 | Karim Benzema | Lyon, Real Madrid | 90 | | 5 | Kylian Mbappe | Monaco, PSG, Real Madrid | 71 | | 11 | Mohamed Salah | FC Basel, AS Roma, Liverpool | 54 | | 17 | Didier Drogba | Olympique de Marseille, Chelsea, Galatasaray | 44 |