$45M Star Surpasses Benzema In Champions League Goals; Only Ronaldo, Messi Ahead Of Him

Robert Lewandowski on Wednesday clinched a milestone with his hattrick in FC Barcelona's 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzen in the UEFA Champions League.

With the three goals at Camp Nou, Lewandowski surpassed Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema to become the third leading goal scorer in the Champions League, according to Transfermarkt.

Lewandowski, who made a $45 million move from Bayern Munich to Barcelona, has netted 89 goals in the top European competition and is only behind the legendary duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

Ronaldo, who is not a part of the Champions League this season, is set to make his first appearance in the Europa League, the second-tier European competition. Having played Champions League for three clubs (Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus), Ronaldo has netted 140 goals in 183 games.

Messi has scored 125 goals in 157 appearances (Barcelona and PSG) in the Champions League.

Lewandowski also took his Barcelona goals tally to eight in five games in all competitions in the 2022-23 campaign, his maiden term with the Catalans.

A delighted Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez heaped praises on Lewandowski, saying he has been a "fantastic signing."

"I am running out of praise for him. He's scored a hat trick, but it's not just that. It's how he plays and how he makes the team play, finding the third man, reading the space perfectly, pressing.. I am delighted [with him]. He has been a fantastic signing. He gives us so many solutions in attack, he's a leader, a winner... [just] a fantastic, fantastic signing," Xavi told reporters after the game at Camp Nou, according to ESPN.

Another summer signing Franck Kessie opened the scoring for Barcelona against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday. Lewandowski doubled the home side's lead with his 34th-minute strike before the Czech side made it 2-1. Lewandowski netted his second just before the half-time break.

By scoring a third goal in the second half, the Poland national became the first player to score Champions League hattricks for three different teams, having done so previously for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

Barcelona have now registered four straight wins in five games this season in all competitions.