In a statement released on Tuesday, the UEFA website said that Ronaldo’s unmatched accomplishments in the UEFA Champions League—including his 140 goals in 183 games—had completely changed the course of the competition’s history.
Being the first player to score in three different finals and a five-time winner, this honor recognizes his lasting impact and establishes a very high standard for upcoming football players.
A press release titled “Cristiano Ronaldo to be Honored as UEFA Champions League All-Time Top Scorer” provided more information on this.
“UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin will present a special award to Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League, in honor of his incredible legacy in the most prestigious competition in the world.
The statement said, “On Thursday, August 29, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the inaugural 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase draw ceremony will recognize Ronaldo’s accomplishments in Europe’s premier club competition—accomplished over the course of 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.
“Among the stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation is Cristiano Ronaldo. His incredible goal-scoring feats during the competition appear certain to endure, providing a formidable obstacle for succeeding generations to overcome.
Ronaldo, a Portugal forward, has achieved seven consecutive Champions League seasons as the leading scorer, surpassing any other player. He has also held the record for most goals in a single season, 17 times in 2013/14. Ronaldo 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. His professionalism, work ethic, dedication, and ability to shine on the grandest stage are qualities that football players should aspire to emulate.
Having scored in 11 straight Champions League games from June 2017 to April 2018, he also owns the record for the longest scoring streak. Incredibly, Ronaldo has scored eight Champions League hat-tricks.
Ronaldo, the multiple Ballon d’Or winner and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, is also the most prolific goal scorer in men’s international football, having scored 130 goals in 212 matches. He is also the all-time top scorer in all UEFA club competitions, having scored 145 goals in 197 appearances.
The Champions League Career Stats of Cristiano Ronaldo:
183 appearances
Objectives: 140
Five wins (in 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018)
7 times (2007/08, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15*, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18) was the highest scorer.
Most Goals in a Single Season: 17 (2013/14)
11 games had the longest scoring streak.
