By UEFA has announced plans to honor Cristiano Ronaldo with a special award recognizing his “remarkable legacy in the world’s most prestigious competition” during the Champions League draw ceremony on August 29. This unprecedented accolade comes as UEFA prepares to unveil a revamped format for the 2024/25 Champions League season.
The award ceremony, set to take place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, will see UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin personally present the award to Ronaldo. This recognition marks a unique moment in Champions League history, as no other player has received such an honor from European football’s governing body.
Ronaldo’s Champions League achievements stand as a testament to his extraordinary career:
1. Record goal scorer with 140 goals, 11 more than his closest rival, Lionel Messi.
2. Five-time Champions League winner.
3. Finished as the competition’s leading scorer in seven separate seasons.
4. The only player to score in three different Champions League finals.
5. Holds the record for the longest Champions League scoring streak, netting in 11 consecutive matches from June 2017 to April 2018.
Ceferin, in anticipation of the ceremony, lauded Ronaldo’s impact on the competition: “Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation. His extraordinary goal-scoring achievements in the competition seem destined to stand the test of time, posing a remarkable challenge for future generations to surpass.”
The UEFA president further emphasized Ronaldo’s enduring influence: “Over more than two decades, he has continuously evolved and refined his game while preserving a youthful passion for scoring and celebrating goals. His professionalism, work ethic, dedication, and ability to shine on the grandest stage are qualities that football players everywhere should aspire to emulate.”
This special recognition comes as UEFA prepares to introduce significant changes to the Champions League format for the 2024/25 season. The new structure will see an expansion from 32 to 36 teams, with each team playing eight games over 10 match weeks in the group stage. The top eight teams will automatically qualify for the last 16, while teams placed 9th to 24th will contest a play-off round.
Ceferin expressed confidence in the new format: “We are convinced that the format chosen strikes the right balance and that it will improve the competitive balance and generate solid revenues that can be distributed to clubs, leagues and into grassroots football across our continent while increasing the appeal and popularity of our club competitions.”
As Ronaldo, now 39 and playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, prepares to receive this unprecedented honor, the football world reflects on his indelible mark on the Champions League. His records and performances have not only set new standards but have also inspired a generation of players.
The award ceremony will undoubtedly be a highlight of the Champions League draw event, celebrating not just Ronaldo’s past achievements but also the enduring impact of his legacy on European football’s premier competition. As the Champions League evolves with its new format, Ronaldo’s contributions stand as a benchmark of excellence for future stars to aspire to in the coming years.
