Cristiano Ronaldo is a household name when it comes to football. The Portuguese professional footballer is one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his record-breaking achievements in football have earned him a place in the annals of football history. In this article, we will take a closer look at Cristiano Ronaldo’s record-breaking achievements in football.
Real Madrid Years
In 2009, Ronaldo joined Real Madrid for a then world-record fee of £80 million. His time at Real Madrid was when he truly cemented his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time. During his nine-year stint at the club, he won four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and two Copa del Rey titles. He also won the Ballon d’Or award four times while playing for Real Madrid.
One of the most memorable moments of Ronaldo’s time at Real Madrid was his performance in the 2017 Champions League final against Juventus. Ronaldo scored two goals in the final, helping Real Madrid win the title for the second year in a row. His second goal in the final was a stunning overhead kick that left the world in awe.
Move to Juventus
In 2018, Ronaldo shocked the football world by signing with Italian club Juventus for a fee of €100 million. His time at Juventus has been just as impressive as his time at Real Madrid. In his first season with the club, he helped Juventus win their eighth consecutive Serie A title. He also became the first player in history to win league titles in England, Spain, and Italy.
International Achievements
Ronaldo has also achieved great success on the international stage. He made his debut for the Portuguese national team in 2003 and has since become the team’s all-time leading goalscorer. He has also led Portugal to victory in the 2016 European Championships and the 2019 Nations League.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Now that we have taken a closer look at Cristiano Ronaldo’s career, let’s take a look at some of his record-breaking achievements.
Most Goals in UEFA Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, with 135 goals. He achieved this feat during his time at Real Madrid, where he won the competition four times.
Most Goals in a Single UEFA Champions League Season
During the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League season, Ronaldo scored 17 goals, breaking Lionel Messi’s record of 14 goals in a single season.
Most Hat-tricks in La Liga
Ronaldo scored a total of 34 hat-tricks during his time in La Liga, breaking the previous record of 32 hat-tricks held by Telmo Zarra.
Most Goals in a Calendar Year
In 2013, Ronaldo scored a total of 69 goals in a single calendar year, breaking the previous record of 67 goals held by Gerd Muller.
Most Goals in a Single UEFA European Championship
Ronaldo holds the record for the most goals in a single UEFA European Championship, scoring five goals during the 2016 tournament. He also led Portugal to victory in the tournament, their first major international trophy.
Most Hat-tricks in UEFA Champions League
Ronaldo has scored a total of eight hat-tricks in the UEFA Champions League, more than any other player in the history of the competition.
Fastest Player to Reach 100 Goals in UEFA Champions League
Ronaldo became the fastest player to reach 100 goals in the UEFA Champions League, achieving the feat in just 92 games.
Most Goals in International Matches
Ronaldo is also the all-time leading goalscorer in international matches, with 115 goals for Portugal.
Most Goals in a Single European Qualifying Campaign
During the qualifying campaign for the 2020 European Championship, Ronaldo scored a total of 14 goals, breaking the previous record of 13 goals held by David Healy.
Most Goals in a Single UEFA Nations League Tournament
In the 2019 UEFA Nations League, Ronaldo scored three goals, including two in the semi-final against Switzerland, to help Portugal win the tournament. He also won the Player of the Tournament award.
The Future of Ronaldo’s Achievements
As Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play at the highest level of football, it is likely that he will continue to break records and achieve new milestones. He has already cemented his legacy as one of the greatest footballers of all time, but he shows no signs of slowing down.
Ronaldo’s success has also inspired a new generation of footballers, who will undoubtedly be motivated to surpass his achievements. As the game of football continues to evolve, it is exciting to think about what new records and achievements will be set in the future.
