At a ceremony held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, Cristiano Ronaldo was honored by UEFA as the all-time top scorer in the Champions League. The Portuguese forward, currently playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, received this recognition for his impressive 140 goals in 183 matches throughout his Champions League career.

The award was presented during the season-opening gala and the draw for the 2024-2025 Champions League, the first edition to feature 36 teams and eliminate the traditional group stage. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin presented the award to Ronaldo, highlighting his contribution to the most prestigious club tournament in world football.

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Cristiano Ronaldo reached the milestone of 140 goals over more than 18 years in the Champions League, playing for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus. His record includes seven seasons as the competition's top scorer, surpassing Lionel Messi by 11 goals and Robert Lewandowski by 46 goals on the all-time scoring list.

Ronaldo is also the only player to have scored in three different Champions League finals (2008, 2014, and 2017) and holds the record for most goals in a single season, with 17 goals in the 2013/14 campaign. Additionally, Ronaldo has the longest scoring streak, having scored in 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018, and he has eight "hat-tricks" in his history.

Aleksander Ceferin praised Ronaldo during the ceremony, stating, "Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars of the UEFA Champions League." He noted that Ronaldo's achievements "seem destined to withstand the test of time" and added that Ronaldo's sustained excellence "is a testament to his relentless pursuit of individual and team titles."

In an emotional moment during the ceremony, Ronaldo expressed his satisfaction with the recognition and shared his enthusiasm for the tournament, suggesting that he might return to play in the Champions League in the future. His legacy in European football continues to be a source of inspiration for future generations of players.