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Every football player dreams of playing in the Champions League. The most prestigious club football competition, not every player gets to live that dream, let alone score in the tournament.
Few players tend to live the dream, and fewer tend to score. The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi apart, not many are truly able to make a lasting impression in the tournament.
We look at the 10 players with the best minutes to goal ratio in the UEFA Champions League.
#10 DAVID TREZEGUET | 29 goals | 143 mins per goal
An underrated striker during his prime, David Trezeguet was a prolific goalscorer during his playing days for both club and country.
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Having made his name at AS Monaco, Trezeguet moved to Juventus in 2000. The France international would spend a decade with the Italian giants, forming a potent attacking partnership with Alessandro Del Piero. Trezeguet made 320 appearances in all competitions for the Old Lady, scoring 171 goals.
The striker was renowned for his pace and physicality as well as his clinical finishing. An intelligent player, the former Hercules player's career was often hindered by injuries. Trezeguet was also part of the France side which won the World Cup in 1998.
#9 NEYMAR | 35 goals | 142 mins per goal
Regarded as one of the best players in football right now, Neymar was always touted to become a star since his Santos days.
A prodigious talent, the 28-year old made his name with Santos before moving to Barcelona in 2013. In Spain, Neymar formed a fearsome attack with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, affectionately called the "MSN". The trio ripped apart most opponents with their quality, pace and creativity.
In 2017, Paris Saint-Germain decided to buy Neymar for €222 million, making him the most expensive footballer in the world. At PSG, the Brazil international has had injury issues but has been impressive when he has played.
Capable of playing on the wings as well, Neymar's creativity, flair, passing and eye for goal have been widely acknowledged.
Also Read: Top 10 players who have scored the most penalties in the 21st century
#8 EDINSON CAVANI | 35 goals | 140 mins per goal
Another player who has gone under the radar due to his more famous teammates, Edinson Cavani's impact at his various clubs shouldn't go unnoticed.
The Uruguay international is an extremely prolific goalscorer who began his European adventure with Palermo. A move to Napoli followed, where he became one of the best players in Serie A due to his goalscoring ability. After three successful seasons at Naples, Paris Saint-Germain decided to splurge €64 million on the striker.
In the ensuing years, the 33-year old became PSG's all-time top goalscorer, surpassing Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Currently a free agent, Cavani has been linked with moves to Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Manchester United and Chelsea in recent months.
#7 SERGIO AGUERO | 39 goals | 128 mins per goal
One of the best strikers to have played in the Premier League, Sergio Aguero continues to play a vital role for Manchester City.
After a fruitful five seasons with Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Manchester City decided to pay £35 million for Aguero's services in 2011. The Argentina international would go on to achieve legendary status at the club, scoring at a high rate and in important moments.
The 32-year continues to be a first-team regular under Pep Guardiola, despite the presence of young striker Gabriel Jesus. Aguero has admitted that he would like to finish his footballing career after a spell with boyhood club Independiente.
#6 KARIM BENZEMA | 65 goals | 128 mins per goal
After years of playing under the shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, Karim Benzema has now taken over the mantle of talisman for Los Blancos.
The France international joined Real Madrid from boyhood club Lyon for €35 million in 2009, initially playing a rotation role alongside fellow striker Gonzalo Higuain. Higuain's departure to Napoli helped his cause, with Benzema putting in the hard yards and complementing Ronaldo well.
A creative, hard-working forward capable of playing in multiple attacking positions, the 32-year old has been praised by critics for his tactical awareness. While Ronaldo carried the goalscoring burden during his time at the club, his departure has led to Benzema stepping up; he was arguably Real Madrid's best player in the 2019-20 season.
#5 FILIPPO INZAGHI | 46 goals | 118 mins per goal
Currently the manager of Serie A side Benevento, Filippo Inzaghi enoyed a storied playing career for various clubs as well as for his country.
An intelligent, unorthodox striker who made up for his limited technical abilities with his awareness and reading of the game, Inzaghi was described as a "poacher" by his teammates. The Italy international spent his entire playing career in Italy, enjoying productive spells with Atalanta, Juventus and AC Milan.
Inzaghi retired in 2012, becoming the AC Milan manager in 2014. He was sacked a year later and went on to coach Venezia and Bologna, before taking over the reins at Benevento.
Also Read: 5 best signings of the transfer window so far
#4 CRISTIANO RONALDO | 130 goals | 113 mins per goal
One of the best players to have played the game, Cristiano Ronaldo's record speaks for itself.
Considered a great at both Manchester United and Real Madrid, the Portuguese superstar has been hailed by critics for his work ethic and discipline of the field. On it, Ronaldo's physicality, pace, technical ability and aerial prowess have all been highlighted as major factors of his success.
Currently, the 35-year old plies his trade for Italian giants Juventus, where he has already broken a few records. Last season, Ronaldo made 46 appearances in all competitions and scored 37 goals.
#3 ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI | 66 goals | 111 mins per goal
Arguably the best striker in the world right now, many believe that Robert Lewandowski was robbed when it was announced that the Ballon d'Or was cancelled for the year.
An exceptional athlete renowned for his finishing and technical ability, the Poland international continues to lead the line for Bayern Munich in an efficient manner. After four highly productive years with Borussia Dortmund, Lewandowski joined Bayern Munich on a free in 2014. He has gone on to make nearly 300 appearances in all competitions, scoring 244 goals.
The 31-year old made 31 appearances in the league last season, scoring 34 goals and winning the Bundesliga Player of the Season award.
#2 RUUD VAN NISTELROOY | 56 goals | 109 mins per goal
An extremely efficient goalscorer who in his prime was one of the best in the world, Ruud van Nistelrooy enjoyed a fine footballing career.
After a good spell with PSV Eindhoven in Eredivisie, Van Nistelrooy moved to Manchester United in 2001 for £18.5 million. In England, the Netherlands international enjoyed a stunning spell, making 219 appearances in all competitions in five seasons and scoring 150 goals.
Van Nistelrooy moved to Real Madrid in 2006, where he had an injury-riddled spell. After stints with Hamburger SV and Malaga, the striker retired in 2012. He is currently the coach of the PSV Eindhoven under-19s team and assistant manager for Netherlands.
#1 LIONEL MESSI | 115 goals | 102 mins per goal
The best player to have graced a football field, Lionel Messi's legacy increases on a daily basis.
A product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy, Messi has been the talisman of Barcelona for some time now. The team's best passer, creator and goalscorer, the Argentina international has been the lone bright spark in a poor season for the club.
Last season in the league, the 33-year old made 33 appearances, scoring 25 goals and providing 21 assists. However, with just a year left in his contract, it has been suggested that the diminutive forward might leave the club out of sheer frustration.
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