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Robert Lewandowski has officially etched his name alongside Lionel Messi in the ultimate Champions League "hit list." On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the Polish striker scored the crucial equalizer in Barcelona’s final league-phase clash against FC Copenhagen, reaching a historic milestone.
With that strike, Lewandowski has now scored against 40 different opponents in Champions League history—a feat previously achieved only by Lionel Messi.
The Elite "40" Club
While Cristiano Ronaldo (38) and Karim Benzema (34) have terrorized many a defense, only two men have reached the big 40.
The Milestone Goal: Barcelona trailed 1-0 in Denmark after an early goal from Viktor Dadason. In the second half, Lewandowski finished a slick team move with a delicate right-footed touch to silence the Parken Stadium and pull level with Messi's record.
The Journey: Lewandowski’s "victim list" has been built over 15 seasons across three clubs: Borussia Dortmund (17 goals), Bayern Munich (69 goals), and FC Barcelona (20+ goals).
Most Frequent Victims: His favorite targets remain Benfica and Crvena zvezda, having put seven goals past each.
Hansi Flick: "To score against 40 different teams requires more than just talent; it requires a decade of world-class consistency. Robert doesn't just score goals; he solves problems for us. Joining Messi in this record is exactly where he belongs."
The Verdict: While Messi and Ronaldo have moved on from European football, Lewandowski continues to hunt their records. At 37, he looks sharper than ever, and with Barcelona safely through to the knockouts, the "40" record could soon be his alone.