Cristiano Ronaldo, a name that has become synonymous with excellence in European football, is poised to receive a prestigious honor from UEFA, cementing his legacy as the UEFA Champions League’s all-time leading scorer.
This special award will be presented by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin during the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League draw ceremony on Thursday, August 29, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
According to a statement released on UEFA’s website on Tuesday, Ronaldo’s unmatched achievements in the UEFA Champions League, including his record of 140 goals in 183 appearances, have redefined the history of the competition.
As the only player to have scored in three separate finals and a five-time champion, this accolade recognizes his enduring legacy and sets a monumental standard for future generations of footballers.
The announcement was made in a release titled “Cristiano Ronaldo to be Honored as UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer.”
“Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League, will be honored with a special award by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin in recognition of his remarkable legacy in the world’s most prestigious competition.
Ronaldo’s achievements in Europe’s premier club competition—accomplished over more than 18 years—will be acknowledged during the inaugural 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase draw ceremony, which will take place on Thursday, August 29, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco,” the statement read.
The former forward for Sporting Clube de Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus has scored 140 Champions League goals in 183 appearances.
He leads Lionel Messi by 11 goals and is 46 goals ahead of third-placed Robert Lewandowski in the scoring charts.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation.
His extraordinary goal-scoring achievements in the competition seem destined to stand the test of time, presenting 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 honors. 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,” UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin stated.
Ronaldo has finished as the leading scorer in seven separate Champions League seasons—more than any other player—ranging from his eight goals in Manchester United’s victorious 2007/08 campaign to his 15-goal haul when Real Madrid claimed their third consecutive title in 2017/18, the statement further noted.
He also holds the record for most goals in a single Champions League season, having scored 17 times in 2013/14, including in the extra-time win against Atlético Madrid in the final.
The Portuguese forward 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 since 1992.
He is also the only player to have scored in three different UEFA Champions League finals (2008, 2014, 2017).
He holds the record for the longest Champions League scoring streak, having netted in 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018, and has also scored an impressive eight Champions League hat-tricks.
NEWS REVIEW reports that the multiple Ballon d’Or winner and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Ronaldo, is also the all-time leading scorer in all UEFA club competitions with 145 goals in 197 appearances, and holds the title of the most prolific goal scorer in men’s international football, with 130 goals in 212 matches.
Cristiano 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.
