The European Football Federation (UEFA) will honor 39-year-old striker Cristiano Ronaldo as the player with the most goals in Champions League history.
In a statement on the UEFA website on August 27, President Aleksander Ceferin praised Ronaldo as one of the brightest stars in Champions League history, with an extraordinary scoring record that has stood the test of time and is a challenge for future generations. Ceferin sees CR7’s professionalism, work ethic, dedication and ability to shine on the biggest stage as qualities for footballers around the world to emulate.
“Ronaldo’s consistent excellence at the highest level is testament to his relentless pursuit of individual and team honours,” added the UEFA President. “For more than two decades, Ronaldo has continued to develop and refine his game, while maintaining the same passion for scoring and celebrating goals as a young player.”
Ronaldo holds up five fingers to represent the number of Champions League titles he has won in his career, after the 2018 final for Real. Photo: Reuters.
Ronaldo played for Sporting Lisbon, Man Utd, Real Madrid, Juventus, setting a record of scoring 140 goals in 183 matches in the Champions League, before joining Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia at the end of 2022.
The Portuguese forward made his Champions League debut in the qualifying round while at Sporting in 2002, and made his group stage debut under Alex Ferguson at Man Utd in October 2003. It took him four years to score his first goal, in Man Utd’s 7-1 win over Roma in the second leg of the 2006-07 quarter-finals.
Ronaldo has won the Champions League five times, first with Man Utd in 2008, and then with Real in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The 39-year-old striker has scored the most goals in the final in the Champions League era (since 1992) with four. Real Madrid legends Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas both have seven goals in European Cup finals.
Ronaldo has won the Champions League Golden Boot seven times, in the seasons 2007–08, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18. He holds the record for most goals scored in a season, with 17 goals in the 2013–14 season, and the longest scoring streak with 11 matches.
Ronaldo will receive a special award for his goalscoring record at the Champions League draw in Monaco on August 29. This season, the number of teams participating has increased from 32 to 36.
Instead of being divided into eight groups as in previous seasons, the 36 teams will play in a group similar to the national championships. Each team will play eight matches against eight different opponents, including four home matches and four away matches. The top eight teams will go straight to the round of 16. The teams ranked from 9th to 24th will have to compete in a play-off for the remaining eight spots.
Teams from the same country will not be drawn against each other. Each group stage team will face a maximum of two opponents from the same country. UEFA will use computer software instead of manual drawing, which has raised concerns about transparency and the risk of hackers. This season’s final will be held at the Allianz Arena in Germany.