- Cristiano Ronaldo will receive official honour from UEFA over his goalscoring exploits
- UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin made this known to the public, heaping praises on the Al-Nassr forward
- Ronaldo scored 140 goals in the UCL, 11 clear of his nearest challenger
Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League, is set to receive a prestigious honour from UEFA. The award, which UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin will present, recognises Ronaldo’s unparalleled achievements in Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
The former Sporting Clube de Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has scored an incredible 140 goals in the Champions League in 183 appearances.
Ronaldo, who recently launched his YouTube channel and broke several social media records in the process ,is 11 goals clear of Lionel Messi and 46 ahead of third-placed Robert Lewandowski at the top of the scoring charts and has left an indelible mark on the tournament. His contributions include winning five Champions League titles and finishing as the top scorer in seven different seasons—a record unmatched by any other player.
"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, 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. 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," Čeferin added.
Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA President
The special award will be presented during the 2024/25 Champions League draw in Monaco, where the football world will gather to celebrate Ronaldo’s remarkable career. His goal-scoring feats, leadership, and consistent excellence have solidified his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Ronaldo finished seven separate Champions League seasons as leading scorer – more than any other player – spanning from his eight goals in Manchester United’s triumphant 2007/08 campaign to his 15-goal haul when Real Madrid claimed their third straight title in 2017/18. He also holds the record for most goals in a single Champions League season, having found the net 17 times in 2013/14, including in the extra-time win against Atlético Madrid in the final.
The Portugal 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 – and is the only player to date to have scored in three separate UEFA Champions League finals (2008, 2014, 2017).
Ronaldo's legacy in the Champions League is not only defined by his goal tally but also by the moments of brilliance that have thrilled fans around the globe. From his debut in the competition to his latest triumphs, Ronaldo has consistently performed at the highest level, making him a true icon of the sport.
As the football community eagerly anticipates the upcoming season, this recognition of Ronaldo's achievements serves as a reminder of the extraordinary impact he has had on the UEFA Champions League.
He also holds the record for longest Champions League scoring streak, having struck in 11 successive matches from June 2017 to April 2018. Ronaldo has also scored an astounding eight Champions League hat-tricks.
The multiple Ballon d’Or and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year recipient is also the all-time leading scorer in all UEFA club competitions (145 goals, 197 appearances) as well as the most prolific ever player in men’s international football (130 goals, 212 appearances).
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
Mbappé matches Cristiano Ronaldo's record, scores on debut
As the European football season began, Real Madrid wasted no time reaffirming its European superiority with a 2-0 victory over last season’s Europa League winners, Atalanta, in the UEFA Super Cup.
Kylian Mbappé, who made his much-anticipated debut on Wednesday, August 14, in Warsaw, Poland, found the back of the net after 68 minutes into his Real Madrid career.
With this goal, Mbappé joined the ranks of Galácticos like Ronaldo and Cristiano Ronaldo, who also scored on their Real Madrid debuts. After the match, Mbappé set a lofty goal of scoring 50 times this season.
