WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo Receives Special Award From UEFA Champions League For Being Highest Goal-Scorer
Portugal, Real Madrid and Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo received special honour from the UEFA Champions League on Thursday (August 29) night for being the leading goal-scorer in the history of the tournament. Ronaldo received this award from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin during the inaugural 2024-25 UEFA Champions League 36-team league phase draw ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Ronaldo’s career in the Champions League is unmatched having scored 140 goals for Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus in the tournament. Over the last 18 years, the Portuguese superstar has set the standard for excellence in Europe’s premier club competition.
WATCH Cristiano Ronaldo receive special award from UEFA Champions League HERE…
140 goals
Cristiano Ronaldo recieves his Champions League’s all-time top goal scorer award #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/iSmDHquNPL
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 29, 2024
Ronaldo and former Juventus teammate Gianluigi Buffon were on stage as the first draw under the new format was revealed in Monaco on Thursday night.
Ronaldo was teased by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin for not playing in the tournament anymore and the Al-Nassr striker didn’t rule out a return someday. “I play Asian (Champions) League, don’t forget that,” Ronaldo said.
“For me it is a pleasure to be here. Thank you for this amazing award it means a lot to me. As you know, Champions League it’s the highest in football. I had an opportunity, not only you know the record speaks for itself, but I don’t mean that, I mean the pleasure to play that competition… it’s our motivation. Football… you never know what’s going to happen, let’s see what the future brings,” the 39-year-old, who is one goal short of scoring 900 career goals, said.
Ronaldo is the first player to score in three UEFA Champions League finals and scored in 11 consecutive Champions League matches, which is a record that might never be surpassed.
He is a five-time winner of the UEFA Champions League and tasted European glory for first time with Manchester United in 2008. Ronaldo’s legacy was sealed during his time at Real Madrid, where he played an instrumental role in the club’s dominance of European football.