UEFA Champion League 2022 top scorers: The holy season of Benzema, Ronaldo’s painful farewell

The 2022 triumph might not have been the most numerically unique among Real Madrid’s record 15 European Cups, certainly not as groundbreaking as their very first or as long-awaited as the "La Decima" in 2014, but the campaign itself was nothing short of an epic. 

Throughout the knockout stages at the Bernabeu, Los Blancos scripted a series of legendary comebacks. They overcame emotional deficits against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and most remarkably, survived a 1% chance of progression to defeat Manchester City in a breathless semi-final.

When fans recall that courageous campaign, the name Benzema stands at the forefront. Previously, he was often seen as the tactical glue, the selfless partner who facilitated the brilliance of others. However, in 2022, after years of suppression for the collective good, the French striker emerged as "The Chosen One." He was the pioneer of a title run that felt more like a miracle than a series of football matches. 

This article by Nowgoalmobi pays tribute to Benzema's extraordinary season while also reviewing the other clinical finishers featured in the Champions League 2022 top scorers list.

Champions League 2022 top scorers

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) 

In what remains his final Champions League season to date, Cristiano Ronaldo proved his enduring class. Despite Manchester United’s turbulent campaign which ended in the Round of 16 against Atletico Madrid, Ronaldo was clinical, scoring 6 goals in just 7 appearances. 

Throughout his illustrious career, Ronaldo has appeared in over 19 seasons across Man United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, holding the record for most appearances (183) and goals (140) in the competition. He has won the trophy 5 times (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018). Currently, at 41, he is still competing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, having joined them in early 2023.

9. Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal) 

The surprise package of the season, Danjuma was instrumental in Villarreal’s historic run to the semi-finals. He netted 6 goals in 11 matches, including a vital winner against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final first leg. On the home front, he finished the season with 16 goals in all competitions. Having played in the Champions League across 3 different seasons with Club Brugge and Villarreal, he is currently active, playing for Valencia.

8. Kylian Mbappé (Paris Saint-Germain) 

The French phenomenon continued his prolific scoring, tallying 6 goals in 8 matches before PSG fell to Real Madrid in the Round of 16. Mbappé finished the 2021/22 season with 39 goals in all competitions, securing the Ligue 1 title. Having played 8 seasons in the competition with Monaco and PSG, he recently fulfilled his dream by joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2024.

7. Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich) 

Sané was a creative and scoring force for the Bavarian giants, contributing 6 goals in 10 matches. He was particularly devastating against Benfica in the group stage, scoring twice in a 4-0 rout. Sané helped Bayern reach the quarter-finals and win the Bundesliga title that year, finishing with 14 goals overall. 

6. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) 

Despite Leipzig exiting in the group stage, Nkunku was a revelation, scoring 7 goals in just 6 matches. His standout moment was a magnificent hat-trick against Manchester City in a thrilling 6-3 loss. This season catapulted him to stardom, as he scored 35 goals in all competitions and won the DFB-Pokal. 

5. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) 

Mahrez was the focal point of City’s attack, finishing with 7 goals in 12 matches. He scored a crucial goal in the semi-final against Real Madrid, though it ultimately wasn't enough to reach the final. He ended the season as City's top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions, winning the Premier League. After 8 seasons in the Champions League and winning the trophy in 2023, he joined Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 

The "Egyptian King" led Liverpool to the final, scoring 8 goals in 13 matches. Although Liverpool lost the final to Madrid, Salah finished the season with 31 goals overall, winning both the FA Cup and League Cup.

3. Sébastien Haller (Ajax) 

Haller made history by scoring 11 goals in only 8 matches, becoming the first player to score in all six group-stage games in his debut season. His 4-goal haul against Sporting CP was legendary. Ajax reached the Round of 16, and Haller finished the season with 34 goals, winning the Eredivisie. After overcoming a serious health battle, he is now playing for Utrecht in the Netherlands.

2. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) 

The Polish marksman was as reliable as ever, netting 13 goals in 10 matches. His highlight was a 23-minute hat-trick against RB Salzburg in the Round of 16, the fastest in the competition's history. He scored 50 goals in all competitions that season, winning the Bundesliga. 

1. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) 

The undisputed king of 2022, Benzema scored 15 goals in 12 matches. He produced back-to-back hat-tricks against PSG and Chelsea in the knockouts and scored the decisive penalty against Man City. 

This was his 5th Champions League trophy (joining the elite 5-club) and his most prolific season ever with 44 goals in all competitions, winning La Liga. Over 18 seasons with Lyon and Madrid, he scored 90 goals in 152 games. He left Madrid as a legend in 2023 and currently plays for Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Champions League 2021/22 top scorers list:

1. Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) - 15 goals

2. Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich) - 13 goals

3. Sébastien Haller (Ajax) - 11 goals

4. Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 8 goals

5. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City) - 7 goals

6. Christopher Nkunku (RB Leipzig) - 7 goals 

7. Leroy Sané (Bayern Munich) - 6 goals 

8. Kylian Mbappé (PSG) - 6 goals

9. Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal) - 6 goals

10. Cristiano Ronaldo (Man United) - 6 goals

We’ve just taken a look back at the most lethal goalscorers of the 2022 Champions League season here at Nowgoalmobi.net. For fans seeking the latest football news, fresh analytical perspectives, and high-value data insights before kick-off, our homepage is your go-to destination.