Robert Lewandowski closes in on Messi Champions League mark

Robert Lewandowski will start for Barcelona against FC Copenhagen aiming to equal Lionel Messi's record of scoring against 40 Champions League opponents. His recent strike versus Slavia Prague was his 106th goal in 139 matches and his 15th straight season scoring in the competition. He already has 20 European Cup goals for Barcelona and ranks among the club top scorers.

After the build up to Barcelona’s crucial UEFA Champions League clash against FC Copenhagen, Robert Lewandowski stands on the verge of achieving another historic milestone in his remarkable career. The Polish striker is expected to lead the line once again at the Spotify Camp Nou, especially with Ferran Torres only recently returning from injury. Lewandowski has already made headlines this season by scoring against Slavia Prague last week, which marked the 15th consecutive Champions League season in which he has found the net.

That goal made Slavia his 39th different opponent in the competition, moving him past Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally of 38 teams and bringing him closer to Lionel Messi’s record of 40. A goal against Copenhagen would see him equal Messi’s mark. With 106 Champions League goals in 139 matches, Lewandowski shares the podium with Messi, who has 129 goals in 163 games, and Ronaldo, who leads with 140 goals in 183 appearances. While catching them overall is unlikely, Lewandowski continues to climb Barcelona’s internal scoring charts in Europe.

He has already scored 20 Champions League goals in 33 matches for Barcelona, matching Luis Enrique’s total. Only Luis Suarez and Rivaldo with 25 each, along with Neymar and Patrick Kluivert on 21, remain ahead of him. He has also surpassed club legends such as Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Pedro and Hristo Stoichkov in European goals for the club.