Most Champions League goal contributions since 2017/18

They are also the leaders in assists and have won nine Champions League trophies (Ronaldo 5, Messi 4).

However, since beginning the 2017/18 season, when either of them won their last European crown, they haven't been as prolific as they had been.

You'll be shocked to know that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are neither in the top three based on combined goals and assists.

Here are the top Champions League contributors in the last five seasons:

6. Karim Benzema 

Karim Benzema, Real Madrid's striker, continues to build on his legend in the UEFA Champions League. He tied Robert Lewandowski's record of 86 goals with his goal against Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Benzema's best season has been this one, scoring 15 goals. Scored five of the goals in the Group Stage. The remaining ten came in a remarkable knock-out phase, seeing him score in five consecutive games against Chelsea, Manchester City, and PSG.

For 17 consecutive seasons, Benzema has been on the Champions League's scorers list. He scored his first goal in 2005/06 against Rosenborg while playing for Olympique Lyon. In total, he scored 12 goals. All 74 of his goals came in a Real Madrid jersey.

Still, the Frenchman stays below Lionel Messi by just one point with 35 goals and six assists.

5. Lionel Messi 

Argentine talisman Lionel Messi remains one of the biggest stars in world football, having moved from Barcelona, where he won every trophy imaginable, to Paris Saint-Germain.

At PSG, Messi has been tasked to bring the Champions League trophy to the Paris based club for the first time. 

However, the last time that Messi won the Champions League was against Juventus in the 2014/15 season. That was the fourth time that Messi was able to clinch the title.

But since the 2017/18 season, the Argentinian icon has scored only 31 goals and 11 assists, which barely puts him above Karim Benzema and into the top 5.

4. Cristiano Ronaldo 

The 37-year-old's fifth title in European club soccer's top tournament, but he won't be lifting the trophy this year.

Manchester United is struggling to even qualify for the Champions League as they battle tough competition.

But looking back at his contributions since 17/18, Ronaldo still hovers above his rival Messi with 35 goals and eight assists.

3. Mohamed Salah 

Liverpool has reached the Champions League finals twice since Mohamed Salah moved from Roma to Anfield in 2017. They won the competition in 2018 with a win over Tottenham.

Although Jurgen Klopp's team has not been able to reach the final in three of the last three seasons, Salah continues to be a formidable forward in international football.

With 33 goals and 12 assists, the Egyptian has been at the league's top.

2. Kylian Mbappe 

This season, Kylian Mbappe once again proved that he is one of the best players in the world. And that goes to show how valuable he will be after the season is over.

While he has world-class striker colleagues in Messi and Neymar, the Frenchman has still managed to trump them with 27 goals and 23 assists. 

1. Robert Lewandowski 

Ronaldo, Messi, Mbappe and Messi regularly steal headlines in the Champions League. It is now time to recognize how exceptional Robert Lewandowski was in recent Champions League games.

Bayern Munich's star man has been a star for many months - even years - and he was also the biggest contender for the 2021 Ballon d'Or until Messi was ultimately rewarded it.

Lewandowski is the only player to have scored more than 40 goals, and Mbappe is the only one who accompanies him with 50 contributions. 

In total, Lewandowski has 46 goals and 11 assists.