Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary player of Real Madrid, is the all-time leading scorer of the European competition and has won the coveted UEFA Champions League medal.
The accolade was given to the Portuguese superstar, who is now playing for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, at the Champions League group phase draw on Thursday night in Monaco.
Five-time UEFA Champions League winner Ronaldo first held the recognizable big-eared trophy with Manchester United in 2008, as the Red Devils defeated Chelsea in Moscow on penalties.
After breaking the all-time record for the most transfers to Real Madrid in 2009, Ronaldo was forced to wait five years to experience continental success in the Spanish capital.
After helping to break the record in 2014 by defeating Atletico Madrid in extra time at Benfica’s Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, the veteran coach was a key player in Zinedine Zidane’s “three-peat,” which resulted in three consecutive UCL titles from 2016 to 2018.
Since then, Ronaldo has failed to win the UCL, but generational rival Lionel Messi has also failed to do so after Barca’s most recent victory in 2015.
Nevertheless, Ronaldo managed to become the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer with 140 goals when he left Europe for the Middle East in early 2023. Messi, on the other hand, also left the Old Continent for Inter Miami with 129 goals, so it’s hard to see anyone coming close to him in this regard.
“For me it’s a pleasure to be here,” Ronaldo remarked after winning an award in Monaco. I’m very grateful for this award.”
“The record says it all: the Champions League is the greatest football competition, but it’s an honor to compete there. It’s wonderful to be here, and I have pleasant recollections of my visit to Monaco for this event.
