Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski has become the third player in history to pass the 100-goal mark in the Champions League.

Lewandowski netted a first-half penalty to reach the milestone and give Barcelona the lead in their group-phase match against Brest, before adding his 101st goal as the hosts went on to win 3-0 on Tuesday.

The 36-year-old joins Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the list of players with a century of European Cup goals.

"I'm very content, very happy," he told Movistar. "Sometimes I didn't believe I would reach this impressive figure in the Champions League.

"Now I'm in good company with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo."

Ronaldo scored 140 times in 183 games for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus, while Messi notched 129 goals in 163 matches for Barcelona and Paris St-Germain.

Lewandowski reached the milestone in his 125th game - slower than Messi (123rd) but faster than Ronaldo (137th). However, the Poland striker's current scoring rate of 0.8 goals a game is slightly better than either Ronaldo or Messi's career marks.

Lewandowski has played in every Champions League campaign since 2011-12.

The vast majority of his goals in the competition have come inside the box - 97, including 17 penalties after the one he added against Brest. Only Ronaldo (19) and Messi (18) have scored more from the spot.

Lewandowski scored his first 17 goals in the competition for Borussia Dortmund, adding another 69 for Bayern Munich and has so far netted 15 for Barcelona.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1354 HRS, NOV 27, 2024
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