Erling Haaland closes in on Lionel Messi’s Champions League recordBy Canadian Press on October 1, 2025. Having set a new Champions League record last time out, Erling Haaland is fast approaching another. The Manchester City striker became the fastest player to score 50 goals in the competition with one against Napoli last month. His half-century came in his 49th appearance — smashing Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 50 in 62 games. Now Lionel Messi’s record is in his sights and also looks certain to fall.