Robert Lewandowski achieves a rare goalscoring feat in the Champions League that even Messi and Ronaldo couldn't

Robert Lewandowski sets a new goal-scoring record in the Champions League. (Image credits - FMT, License Details)

FC Barcelona’s star No.9, Robert Lewandowski, has set a new record in the Champions League, surpassing the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably two of the greatest players to ever play in the competition.

Lewandowski bagged a brace against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in the first leg of the quarter-finals, bringing up his 40th goal of the season. The Polish talisman also found the back of the net for a staggering 11th time this season, climbing to 2nd place in the goal-scoring charts in the UCL this season.

With his first goal on Wednesday night, Lewandowski became the first player in Champions League history to score 10+ goals in a single season for three different teams – Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona.

While also being the leading goal scorer in La Liga with 25 goals, the 36-year-old is aiming for his first-ever Ballon d'Or, a feat that he should've deservedly achieved back in 2020.

With his brace, the Barcelona No. 9 also surpassed the hundred-goal mark for the club within just three seasons in Spain.

Robert Lewandowski: The possible winner of the 2025 FIFA Ballon d'Or?

While football fans have been arguing between Mohamed Salah and Raphinha to be the favourites to win the Ballon d'Or, Robert Lewandowski has dramatically risen through the ranks with his tremendous performance since the beginning of 2025.

The 36-year-old has been the spearhead of the Catalan giants’ dominant display this season, being the highest goalscorer for the club in all competitions combined. The Polish international who has scored 40 goals so far could go all the way to 50 by the end of this season.

If Barça somehow manage to an astonishing treble, or even a prestigious double (La Liga and Champions League), Lewandowski’s profile would shine brighter than ever, potentially making him stand taller than his teammate Raphinha and the current favourite to win the Ballon d’Or, Mohamed Salah.