Ex-Arsenal striker topples Christian Pulisic to set new Champions League record

Former Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun made some Champions League history on Tuesday evening.

Balogun, who left the Gunners in 2023 after spending 15 years at the club, netted twice for Monaco against Paris Saint-Germain.

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His two goals in the first leg of the Ligue 1 rivals’ knockout phase play-off saw him reach five in total for the campaign.

And that tally in Europe is the highest ever by an American in a single season in the Champions League.

Ex-Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic previously held the record with his impressive showing for AC Milan last term.

Pulisic scored four times and assisted once for the Italian giants in UEFA’s elite competition in 2024/25.

But Balogun has now reached five with his double in Monaco’s crucial clash with PSG – and the first came in record time.

The 24-year-old found the net after just 55 seconds of the game, with that being the quickest goal PSG have ever conceded in a Champions League game.

He then scored his second early too, making it 2-0 to his side after just 18 minutes, setting a new American high in the process.

Unfortunately for him though, Monaco would go on to give up their advantage before half time.

After Vitinha missed a penalty, Desire Doue and Achraf Hakimi went on to score and level things up ahead of the break.

PSG then completed a comeback, with Doue grabbing his second of the game after 67 minutes to claim just a ninth win away at Monaco in the club’s entire history.

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The American Dream

Balogun has made some American history by reaching five goals in the Champions League, beating Pulisic’s record.

But he’s also now moved into the top five for the most goals ever scored by a US international in the competition.

Pulisic still has this record with 12 goals in 63 appearances.

He’s followed by Juventus‘ Weston McKennie, who has ten goals, while Fulham target Ricardo Pepi has six to his name.

Balogun now slots into joint-fourth in the all-time list with five goals, equalling Malik Tillman’s haul.

USA legend DaMarcus Beasley sits in fifth with four.

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Thriving post-Arsenal

The striker came through the Arsenal academy and worked his way into contention for first-team football.

He only managed ten appearances for the Gunners’ senior side though, playing just two Premier League games.

His lack of game time led to his departure, following loan spells at Middlesbrough and French side Reims.

And it was Balogun’s 22 goals in 39 appearances for Reims that led to the permanent move to Monaco in 2023.

Since then, he’s gone on to net 20 goals and provide 12 assists for the club, with four of each of those coming this season in Ligue 1.

But his double in Europe has now seen his Champions League tally overtake his goals in domestic competition.