Cristiano Ronaldo, a name that has become synonymous with excellence in European football, is set to receive a prestigious honor from UEFA, solidifying his status as the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League.
The 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.
In a statement released on Tuesday, UEFA highlighted Ronaldo’s unparalleled achievements in the Champions League, where he has scored 140 goals in 183 appearances, a feat that has redefined the competition’s history.
As the only player to have scored in three separate finals and a five-time winner, this recognition acknowledges his enduring legacy and sets a monumental benchmark for future footballers.
The announcement, titled “Cristiano Ronaldo to be Honored as UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer,” detailed the significance of this award.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League, will be honored with a special award from 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 recognized 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 Sporting Clube de Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward leads the Champions League scoring charts with 140 goals, 11 ahead of Lionel Messi and 46 clear of third-placed Robert Lewandowski.
“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 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,” stated UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
Ronaldo has finished as the leading scorer in seven separate Champions League seasons, more than any other player. His dominance spans from his eight goals in Manchester United’s victorious 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, with 17 in 2013/14, including a crucial goal 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. Ronaldo is also the only player to have scored in three separate UEFA Champions League finals (2008, 2014, 2017).
Additionally, he holds the record for the longest Champions League scoring streak, having found the net in 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018. Ronaldo has also scored an impressive eight Champions League hat-tricks.
A 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 the most prolific goalscorer 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.