Cristiano Ronaldo Honored as Champions League’s All-Time Top Scorer

Cristiano Ronaldo was celebrated as the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League at a ceremony held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The award recognized Ronaldo’s remarkable achievement of 140 goals in 183 Champions League matches throughout his career. Currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo received the award at the season-opening gala, which also featured the draw for the 2024-2025 Champions League. This season marks the first with 36 teams and the elimination of the traditional group stage. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin presented the accolade, praising Ronaldo’s outstanding contribution to European football’s premier club competition.Ronaldo’s record spans over 18 years and includes stints with Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. He has been the top scorer in the Champions League for seven seasons and leads Lionel Messi by 11 goals and Robert Lewandowski by 46 goals on the all-time scoring list.The Portuguese forward is the only player to score in three different Champions League finals (2008, 2014, and 2017). He also holds records for the most goals in a single season, with 17 in the 2013/14 campaign, and the longest scoring streak, netting in 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018. Additionally, Ronaldo has scored eight hat-tricks in the tournament.Ceferin praised Ronaldo’s enduring excellence, stating, “Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars of the UEFA Champions League.” He emphasized that Ronaldo’s achievements are likely to remain significant and praised his relentless pursuit of both individual and team success.In a heartfelt moment, Ronaldo expressed his pride in receiving the award and hinted at a possible return to the Champions League in the future. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of footballers.

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