Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in UEFA Champions League history, received a special award from UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin, honoring his extraordinary legacy in the competition.
Ronaldo’s incredible achievements over more than 18 years in Europe’s premier club tournament were celebrated during the inaugural 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase draw on Thursday, August 29, at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
The former Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward has netted 140 goals in 183 Champions League appearances, leading the scoring charts by 11 goals over Lionel Messi and 46 ahead of Robert Lewandowski in third place.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation. His extraordinary goalscoring 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.” Aleksander Čeferin, UEFA president.
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Cristiano Ronaldo has finished as the top scorer in the Champions League in seven different seasons—more than any other player.
His dominance spans from scoring eight goals during Manchester United’s victorious 2007/08 campaign to netting 15 goals as Real Madrid secured their third consecutive title in 2017/18.
Ronaldo also holds the record for the most goals in a single Champions League season, with 17 goals in 2013/14, including one in the extra-time victory over Atlético Madrid in the final.
The Portuguese forward has won the competition once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid, becoming the first player to win the Champions League five times since its rebranding in 1992.
He is also the only player to have scored in three separate Champions League finals (2008, 2014, 2017).
Additionally, Ronaldo holds the record for the longest consecutive scoring streak in the competition, having scored in 11 straight matches from June 2017 to April 2018. He has also notched an incredible eight Champions League hat-tricks.
A multiple Ballon d’Or winner and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in all UEFA club competitions, with 145 goals in 197 appearances.
He is also the most prolific player in men’s international football, with 130 goals in 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
*Joint-top scorer with Lionel Messi and Neymar
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