Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time top goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League, received a special award from UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin on Thursday in appreciation of his incredible legacy in the most prestigious competition in the world.
On Thursday, August 29, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the inaugural 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase draw ceremony honoured Ronaldo’s accomplishments in Europe’s top club competition, which span more than 18 years.
With 183 games, the former attacker for Sporting Clube de Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus has scored 140 goals in the Champions League. At the top of the scoring charts, he is 46 goals ahead of third-place Robert Lewandowski and 11 goals ahead of Lionel Messi.
UEFA President Ceferin said “Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation, ” stated UEFA President Ceferin. His extraordinary goalscoring achievements in the competition seem destined to stand the test of time, posing a remarkable challenge for future generations to surpass.
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“His sustained excellence at the highest level is a testament to his relentless pursuit of both team and individual honours. Over more than two decades, he has continuously evolved and refined his game while preserving a youthful passion for scoring and celebrating goals.
“His professionalism, work ethic, dedication and ability to shine on the grandest stage are qualities that football players everywhere should aspire to emulate”
More than any other player, Ronaldo has ended seven Champions League seasons as the league’s top scorer. His eight goals during Manchester United’s winning 2007–08 season and his fifteen goals during Real Madrid’s third consecutive title-winning season in 2017–18 are among his greatest accomplishments. Having scored 17 goals in the 2013–14 Champions League season, including one in the extra-time victory over Atlético de Madrid in the championship game, he also holds the record for most goals in a single Champions League season.
The Portugal forward is the only player to have scored in three different Champions League finals (2008, 2014, 2017). He has won the competition once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid, making him the first five-time winner in the competition’s history.
With 11 consecutive goals from June 2017 to April 2018, he also holds the record for the longest Champions League scoring run. Additionally, Ronaldo has an incredible eight hat-tricks in the Champions League.
In addition to being the most prolific player in men’s international football history (130 goals, 212 appearances) and the all-time top scorer in all of UEFA club competition (145 goals, 197 appearances), the multiple Ballon d’Or winner also won the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award.
