Harry Kane, the prolific forward of Bayern Munich, is on the verge of matching one of the most impressive records in the Champions League, held by the legendary Lionel Messi. The former Tottenham Hotspur icon needs just two goals in the clash against Atalanta, scheduled for this Wednesday night, to reach the remarkable milestone of 50 goals in the competition, a feat that Messi achieved in just 66 matches, while Cristiano Ronaldo did it in 91.
The situation is favorable for Bayern, who come into the match with a commanding 6-1 aggregate lead after a resounding victory in the first leg. However, coach Vincent Kompany is not expected to rest his key players, despite some significant absences in the team. Michael Olise and Joshua Kimmich are suspended, and Luis Diaz and Nicolas Jackson will also be unavailable due to sanctions resulting from red cards received in the last league match.
Despite Kane being absent due to a recent injury, Kompany may see this match as an ideal opportunity for the England captain to regain his competitive form. While it is uncertain whether Kane will start the match, 30 minutes on the pitch could be enough for him to score two goals against an Atalanta defense that will clearly be under pressure.
By reaching 50 goals, Kane will not only equal Messi but will also aim for the position of one of the most efficient players in the history of the Champions League. Below, we highlight the 10 players who reached this impressive milestone the fastest:
10. Thomas Muller – 130 matches
The experienced Bayern forward has won the Champions League twice and made his mark, even without scoring a high number of goals in a single campaign.
9. Thierry Henry – 103 matches
The Frenchman ended his career with 50 goals, having reached the milestone in 103 matches. His European career peaked at Arsenal, but it was at Barcelona that he won the coveted trophy.
8. Raul – 97 matches
One of the most decorated players in the competition, Raul had a standout campaign in 1999-00, where he scored 10 goals.
7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 140 goals in 183 matches
The all-time leader in goals in the history of the competition, Ronaldo was also not the fastest to reach 50, needing 91 matches to do so.
6. Karim Benzema – 88 matches
The Frenchman is one of the few to have won the Champions League on five occasions and reached 50 goals in 88 matches.
5. Kylian Mbappe – 79 matches
The French prodigy reached the 50-goal mark in 2024, becoming the second youngest player to do so.
4. Robert Lewandowski – 77 matches
The Pole is one of three players in the history of the competition to have scored over 100 goals.
3. Lionel Messi – 50 goals in 66 matches
The Argentine was one of the fastest to achieve this feat, a record that Harry Kane may equal.
2. Ruud van Nistelrooy – 62 matches
The Dutchman held the record for speed until recently, needing only 62 matches to reach 50 goals.
1. Erling Haaland – 49 matches
The Norwegian not only broke the previous record but did so in a stunning fashion, positioning himself to become the competition’s top scorer.
With the possibility of Harry Kane equaling Messi’s achievement, all eyes will be on the Allianz Arena. Will the English forward leave his mark and make history in the Champions League? Stay tuned to witness another thrilling chapter of this competition that never fails to surprise.
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