Cristiano Ronaldo to be awarded as UEFA Champions League all-time top scorer

UEFA Champions League all-time top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo, will be honoured by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin for his remarkable legacy in the world's most prestigious competition. The special award will be presented at the draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League in Monaco.

'CR7's achievements in Europe's top club competition over more than 18 years will be recognised at the inaugural draw for the 36-team UEFA Champions League 2024/25 on Thursday 29 August at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The former Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has scored 140 goals in 183 matches. He is 11 goals ahead of Argentina's Leo Messi and 46 ahead of Poland's Robert Lewandowski.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation. His extraordinary goalscoring record in the competition seems destined to stand the test of time and provide a remarkable challenge for future generations to surpass. His continued excellence at the highest level is a testament to his relentless pursuit of both team and individual honours," said UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

"Over more than two decades, he has continued to develop and refine his game, while retaining a youthful passion for scoring and celebrating goals. His professionalism, work ethic, dedication and ability to shine on the biggest stage are qualities that footballers everywhere should aspire to," added the Slovenian.

Cristiano Rolando celebrates one of his 140 UEFA Champions League goals. GETTY IMAGES

Ronaldo has finished as the Champions League's top scorer in seven different seasons - from his eight goals in Manchester United's triumphant 2007/08 campaign to his 15-goal haul as Real Madrid claimed its third successive title in 2017/18. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a single Champions League season, having netted 17 times in 2013/14, including in the extra-time winner against Atletico Madrid in the final.

The Portuguese has won the title once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid - making him the first five-time winner - and is the only player to have scored in three different finals (2008, 2014, 2017). He also holds the record for the longest scoring streak in the Champions League, having scored in 11 consecutive games between June 2017 and April 2018. He has also scored a staggering eight Champions League hat-tricks.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner and three-time UEFA Men's Player of the Year is also the all-time leading scorer in all UEFA club competitions (145 goals, 197 appearances) and the most prolific player in men's international football (130 goals, 212 appearances).