Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo will be honoured by the European Football governing body, UEFA, ahead of the 2024/25 Champions League draw ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday, August 29.
The Al-Nassr forward will be handed a special award by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin for his impeccable performances over the years, which has earned him the honour of being the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer.
The 39-year-old played 183 times in the Champions League over 18 years, scoring 140 goals, 11 more than his biggest rival Lionel Messi, who is also out of Europe, and 46 ahead of Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski on the scoring list.
Ronaldo played in the prestigious club tournament for four clubs – Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus – winning five times, once with United and four times with Madrid.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation,” UEFA President Ceferin said. “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,” he concluded.
The Portuguese was at times unstoppable in the Champions League, holding numerous records that has so far withstood the test of time.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner finished as the Champions League top scorer in seven different seasons, the most of any player in the competition’s history. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a single Champions League season, bagging 17 goals in the 2013-14 season with Madrid.
Since it became the Champions League in 1992, Ronaldo is the first player in its history to win the competition five times, while also holding the record as the only player to date to have scored in three separate finals (2008, 2014, 2017).
He also holds the record for longest scoring streak in the Champions League, after he found the back of the net in 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018.
Ronaldo, who also has eight Champions League hat-tricks, will be recognised during the inaugural 2024/25 UEFA Champions League season, which will see the 36-team league format.
