KUALA LUMPUR: Champions League all-time leading goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo has been honoured with a special award from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin in recognition of his remarkable legacy in the world's most prestigious competition.
Ronaldo's achievements in Europe's premier club competition – over the course of more than 18 years – were recognised during the inaugural 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase draw ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday.
"
Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the 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," said Ceferin.
The former Sporting Clube de Portugal, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus has finished seven separate Champions League seasons as leading scorer – more than any other player – spanning from his eight goals in Manchester United's triumphant 2007/08 campaign to his 15-goal haul when Real Madrid claimed their third straight title in 2017/18.
Ronaldo, with 140 Champions League goals in 183 appearances, leads the scoring charts ahead of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.
He has been the competition's top scorer in seven seasons, a record, and holds the mark for most goals in a single season with 17 goals in 2013/14.
The 39-year-old has won the Champions League five times—once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid — making him the first five-time winner since 1992.
He is also the only player to score in three different Champions League finals.