Top 10 Super Eagles scorers in UEFA Champions League history

Over the years, many Nigerian players have played in Europe, but Victor Osimhen has made an indelible mark, as he is at the summit of the Super Eagles’ top Champions League scorers.

The Galatasaray striker has established himself as Nigeria’s most prolific goalscorer in Europe’s premier club competition from his days to Lille, Napoli, and now Galatasaray. But asides from the big 27-year-old stiker, other Nigerians have done well with their various clubs.

Names like Mikel Obi, Finidi George, Celestine Babayaro, Victor Ikpeba, Nwankwo Kanu, and Yakubu Aiyegbeni have starred in the past. Then, in recent years, there are stars like Samuel Chukwueze, Ademola Lookman, and Raphael Onyedika.

Some of these players have gone on to write their names in stone, scoring and helping their sides to success.

In this article, Afrik-Foot writes on top ten Super Eagles stars who have the most goals in the UEFA Champions League proper and where some of those Super Eagles players’ Champions League goals were scored.

Full List: Super Eagles Top Champions League Scorers

1. Victor Osimhen — 17 goals

Clubs: Lille, Napoli, Galatasaray

Victor Osimhen has established himself as Nigeria’s most prolific goalscorer in Champions League history, reaching 17 goals across spells with Lille, Napoli and Galatasaray.

His scoring record has been particularly impressive at Galatasaray, where he has continued to deliver on the European stage. He scored seven Champions League goals during the 2025/26 campaign, helping the Turkish champions compete against some of Europe’s strongest teams and reach the round of 16.

Osimhen’s ability to attack space, stretch defensive lines and finish chances inside the penalty area has made him a dangerous opponent for some of the elite clubs.

🇳🇬💥 Victor Osimhen with a clinical finish in the Champions League last night. https://t.co/Y5CEV8Y6yH

— Soar Africa! (@SoarAfrica) October 22, 2026

He also has the opportunity to extend his record further, with his Champions League career still on at Galatasaray. His lead over the next-best Nigerian scorers now stands at eight goals.

2. Ademola Lookman — 9 goals

Clubs: RB Leipzig, Atalanta, Atlético Madrid

Ademola Lookman has climbed to joint second on the Super Eagles Champions League scoring record list after reaching nine goals.

The Atlético Madrid forward has established himself as one of the best in the world. His performances in Italy with Atalanta helped establish his reputation, but his Champions League scoring record has grown more recently at Atleti where he has scored three UCL goals this year.

Lookman’s pace, close control and ability to carry the ball into dangerous areas make him a threat in transition. His goal against Barcelona in Atlético Madrid’s 2025/26 Champions League quarter-final was an important contribution to the Spanish side’s progress to the semi-final.

His latest tally puts him level with Martins, and he remains well placed to improve his position as he continues to play in the competition.

3. Obafemi Martins — 9 goals

Clubs: Inter Milan, VfL Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan

Obafemi Martins shares second place with Lookman, having scored nine Champions League goals during his European career.

The former Super Eagles striker made his name at Inter Milan, where his explosive pace and direct approach caused problems for opposing defenders. He then went on to play for Wolfsburg and Rubin Kazan, adding to his experience at the highest level of European club football.

How lethal was Obafemi Martins in his prime? I’m of opinion that he could have been greater💯 https://t.co/vqQkAI8ji8

— SALI KUTUSHI🐎 (@thxhilariousope) September 24, 2025

Martins’ goals came during an era when Nigerian forwards were making an impact across several major European leagues. His record stood among the country’s best for years before Osimhen surpassed it.

4. Victor Ikpeba — 7 goals

Club: AS Monaco

Victor Ikpeba occupies fourth place among the top Super Eagles scorers in UEFA Champions League with seven Champions League goals to his name, having made his mark with Monaco during the 1990s.

The former Nigerian international who was dubbed “Prince of Monaco” during his days, was one of the country’s best forwards during that period. His movement, finishing and ability to contribute in important matches was part of what made him respected in Europe.

Ikpeba reached the semi-final of the Champions League with Monaco under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger in 1994.

5. Nwankwo Kanu — 5 goals

Clubs: Ajax, Arsenal

Nwankwo Kanu scored five Champions League goals for Ajax and Arsenal, so he shares fifth place with Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

Kanu remains one of Nigeria’s most decorated players in the competition. He was part of the Ajax side that won the Champions League in 1995, giving him a place in one of the most memorable teams in the tournament’s history.

Not many realize how good kanu Nwankwo was https://t.co/q6Sz2zipbC

— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) August 18, 2023

Although his five-goal tally is modest compared with Osimhen’s current record, Kanu’s Champions League legacy is strengthened by the fact that he won the title and recorded 60 appearances in the competition, the most by a Nigerian player.

6. Yakubu Aiyegbeni — 5 goals

Club: Maccabi Haifa

Yakubu Aiyegbeni also scored five Champions League goals, all of which came during is time at Israeli club Maccabi Haifa.

The former Super Eagles striker was particularly effective during the 2002/03 European campaign. One of his most memorable performances came against Olympiacos, when he scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 victory.

Yakubu’s physical presence, strength and finishing ability made him a difficult striker to contain. His Champions League performances helped attract attention beyond Israeli football and it was not long after that he moved to Portsmouth in the Premier League.

7. Samuel Chukwueze — 4 goals

Clubs: Villarreal, AC Milan

Samuel Chukwueze is in seventh place in the Nigeria Champions League top scorers chart with four Champions League goals.

The Super Eagles star already gained European experience with Villarreal before joining AC Milan two years ago. His direct dribbling, acceleration and willingness to take on defenders have made him a valuable attacking option at club level.

Happy 26th birthday, Samuel Chukwueze. Bringing back the stunner he scored against Bayern Munich to send Villarreal into the UCL Semifinals in 2022 🇳🇬 https://t.co/ZxnkjUOC7f

— 49th. (@the49thstreet) May 22, 2025

Chukwueze’s Champions League goals were against Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Young Boys, and Newcastle United. That one against Bayern Munich in 2022 took Villarreal to the semi-final of the competition.

8. Shola Ameobi — 3 goals

Club: Newcastle United

Shola Ameobi scored three Champions League goals for Newcastle United.

The former Super Eagles forward featured during Newcastle’s return to Europe’s elite club competition in the early 2000s. The English side reached the second group stage in the 2002/03 season, giving Ameobi a rare opportunity to play against some of the best.

His three goals were against Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen.

9. Tijani Babangida — 3 goals

Club: Ajax

Tijani Babangida also recorded three Champions League goals during his time with Ajax.

Babangida was part of a generation of Nigerian players who established themselves at prominent European clubs, helping pave the way for later stars.

His three goals in the competition were against Rangers, Auxerre, and Atletico Madrid. All the goals came in one campaign.

10. Emmanuel Dennis — 3 goals

Club: Club Brugge

Emmanuel Dennis completes the ranking of Super Eagles top Champions League scorers with three Champions League goals for Club Brugge.

His most memorable European performance came in October 2019, when he scored twice against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu in a 2-2 draw.

🎥 Memories : Quand Emmanuel Dennis marquait le doublé le plus improbable au Bernabeu face au grand Real Madrid et Thibaut Courtois 🔥 (01/10/2019) https://t.co/e3dR9KceHD

— Club Bruges FR (@ClubBrugesFR) June 9, 2022

Dennis caused a lot of problems for Madrid in that fixture, and that brace is still one of the top performances by a Nigerian player in the competition in recent years.

His three-goal tally puts him among the Nigerians tied in the lower positions of the all-time chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the all-time leading Nigerian goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League?

Victor Osimhen holds the record as Nigeria’s most prolific player in Champions League history, with 17 goals scored across spells with Lille, Napoli, and Galatasaray.

Which Nigerian player has made the most appearances in the UEFA Champions League?

Nwankwo Kanu holds the record for the most Champions League appearances by a Super Eagles player, featuring in 60 matches throughout his career with clubs like Ajax and Arsenal.

Have any Nigerian players won the UEFA Champions League?

Nwankwo Kanu and Finidi George won the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995, then Mikel Obi won it with Chelsea in 2012.

Which Nigerian player scored the most goals in a single Champions League campaign?

Victor Osimhen holds the record for the most prolific single-season by a Super Eagles player in the competition, netting 7 goals during Galatasaray’s impressive European run in the 2025/26 campaign.

Which Nigerian players have scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League?

Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Victor Osimhen are the only Super Eagles players to score a Champions League hat-trick. Yakubu scored three goals for Maccabi Haifa against Olympiacos during the 2002/03 campaign, while Osimhen got his against Ajax in the 2025/26 season.