By Gideon Maxwell
August 29, 2024
Ace footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has been honoured by UEFA as the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League during a ceremony held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
The Portuguese forward, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, received this recognition for his impressive 140 goals in 183 Champions League matches throughout his career.
The award was presented during the season-opening gala and the draw for the 2024-2025 Champions League, marking the first edition to feature 36 teams and eliminate the traditional group stage.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin presented the award, praising Ronaldo’s sustained excellence and his contributions to the most prestigious club tournament in world football.
Ronaldo’s achievements in the Champions League are unparalleled.
He has played for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, and holds multiple records, including scoring in three different Champions League finals (2008, 2014, and 2017) and having the longest scoring streak with 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018.
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Ronaldo also holds the record for most goals in a single season with 17 goals in the 2013/14 campaign and has scored eight hat-tricks in the competition.
Ronaldo is a five-time Champions League winner, having won the title once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid.
His legacy in European football continues to inspire future generations of players, with Ceferin noting that Ronaldo’s achievements “seem destined to withstand the test of time” and are a testament to his relentless pursuit of individual and team titles.
During the ceremony, Ronaldo expressed his satisfaction with the recognition and hinted at a possible return to the Champions League in the future, further cementing his enduring impact on European club football.
