Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League, has been honoured with a special award by UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin in recognition of his extraordinary achievements in the world’s most prestigious club competition.
The accolade was presented during the inaugural draw ceremony for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase, held on Thursday, August 29, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Ronaldo, who has scored a staggering 140 goals in 183 Champions League appearances, was lauded for his remarkable legacy in the competition, which spans more than 18 years. The former Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward is 11 goals ahead of his closest rival, Lionel Messi, and 46 goals clear of third-placed Robert Lewandowski.
In his tribute, UEFA president Čeferin praised Ronaldo as “one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation,” adding, “His extraordinary goalscoring achievements in the competition seem destined to stand the test of time, posing a remarkable challenge for future generations to surpass. His sustained excellence at the highest level is a testament to his relentless pursuit of both team and individual honours.”
Ronaldo’s Champions League career is filled with numerous records, including finishing as the top scorer in seven different seasons. His first top-scoring campaign came during Manchester United’s victorious 2007/08 season, where he scored eight goals. He went on to score a record 17 goals in the 2013/14 season with Real Madrid, culminating in the club’s victory over Atlético de Madrid in the final.
Over his illustrious career, Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times—once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid—making him the first player to achieve this feat since 1992. He is also the only player to have scored in three separate Champions League finals (2008, 2014, 2017).
In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Ronaldo holds the record for the longest scoring streak in the competition, having found the net in 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018. He has also notched an incredible eight Champions League hat-tricks.
Beyond the Champions League, Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in all UEFA club competitions, with 145 goals in 197 appearances, and is the most prolific player in men’s international football, with 130 goals in 212 appearances.
Ronaldo’s Champions League career in numbers:
- Appearances: 183
- Goals: 140
- Wins: 5 (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- Top Scorer: 7 times (2007/08, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18)
- Most Goals in a Single Season: 17 (2013/14)
- Longest Scoring Streak: 11 games
Ronaldo’s unmatched records and achievements in the UEFA Champions League have solidified his place as one of the greatest players in the history of the competition, with a legacy that will inspire future generations of footballers.