Cristiano Ronaldo to receive a special honour from UEFA 2024-25

Cristiano Ronaldo and the Champions League were once complementary. He was a huge success in the Champions League. he holds many records including most goals and most matches played at the European premier stage. The Portuguese superstar has also won 5 Champions League titles.

Champions League authorities UEFA will honour Cristiano Ronaldo with a special award this year. European football’s governing body UEFA has confirmed the award to him for his contribution to the European stage of excellence. UEFA President Aleksandar Ceferin will hand over the award to him at the 2024-25 Champions League group stage draw in Monaco tomorrow. This draw ceremony will happen on Thursday.

Cristiano Ronaldo career achievements

Ronaldo, who started his career for Sporting Lisbon, scored 140 goals in 183 matches in the Champions League. He scored 11 more goals than Lionel Messi, who is second in the list. Ronaldo is ahead of the third Robert Lewandowski with 46 goals. Messi himself no longer plays in Europe.

So there is no possibility of breaking Ronaldo’s goal record in the near future. Apart from this, He also has the record of being the highest goalscorer in the Champions League in seven different seasons in his career. He won 1 of the 5 titles for Manchester United and the remaining four for Real Madrid.

Aleksandar Ceferin’s statement on Ronaldo

“Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League,” Aleksandar Ceferin said in UEFA’s statement while announcing Ronaldo’s special award. “His remarkable feat of scoring in this competition will remain elusive for a long time to come. It will be a significant challenge for future generations to surpass his record.”

Praising Ronaldo, Ceferin further said, ‘Having scored goals and retained his youthful passion for celebrating goals for over two decades, he has consistently developed and refined his game. His professionalism, work ethic, dedication and ability to shine on this stage are qualities that footballers everywhere should emulate.’

Ronaldo to depart from Al Nassr?

In a recent interview with the Portuguese media Ronaldo said, “I don’t know if I’m retiring soon, maybe in two or three years. But I will probably retire from Al Nassr.”

“I am quite good at this club. It feels good in this country too (Saudi Arabia). I am satisfied with playing in Saudi Arabia and want to continue playing here.”

When asked if he wants to join the coaching profession after leaving football, he said, “It is difficult to think about becoming a manager. But I don’t even think about being the head coach of any team. I never thought about this. I am thinking of doing something outside of football in the future.”

After losing his place at Manchester United, Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr in January 2023 for a record fee. However, after playing 2 seasons in the club, this star has not seen any major team success so far.