Cristiano Ronaldo. — AFP/File
Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, famous for his goal-scoring skills and numerous awards, turns 39 today.
People recognize this icon from Portugal as one of the world’s finest footballers, and he has a host of significant accomplishments to his name.
These include five Ballon d’Or awards, three UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Awards, and four European Golden Shoes.
In 2023, Ronaldo was reported by USA Today to be the wealthiest and highest-earning player globally, with an estimated income of $260 million.
Furthermore, with a following of 620 million on Instagram, he holds the distinction of being the most followed individual on the platform, as reported by Hindustan Times.
Now, let’s briefly review the five key records held by this legendary footballer.
The First Person to Score 800 Career Goals
One of Ronaldo’s most remarkable records is being the first player in history to score an astonishing 800 career goals.
This historic milestone was achieved in November 2022 during a Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal.
Most International Goals
Ronaldo’s skills extends beyond club football, as he has also excelled on the international stage.
With over 118 goals to his name, Ronaldo surpassed Ali Daei’s record in 2021 when he scored his 110th goal in a match against the Republic of Ireland.
Most Champions League Goals
Throughout his career, Ronaldo has repeatedly demonstrated his dominance in the UEFA Champions League.
Not only has he lifted the prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy five times, but he also holds the record for the most Champions League goals.
With an impressive tally of 183 appearances and an unmatched goal-scoring ability, Ronaldo has etched his name in the history books as the all-time leading goal scorer in the tournament.
Hat-Trick King
Ronaldo’s ability to single-handedly turn the tide of a match is further exemplified by his record-breaking number of hat-tricks in men’s international football.
The Portuguese goal machine became the first player to score 10 hat-tricks in international football when he netted his 10th hat-trick in Portugal’s resounding 5-0 victory against Luxembourg in 2021.
This accomplishment surpassed Sven Rydell’s previous record of nine hat-tricks, solidifying Ronaldo’s position as the king of hat-tricks.
The Only Player to Score in Three Champions League Finals
Ronaldo’s impact in the Champions League goes beyond his goal-scoring exploits.
He holds a unique record of scoring in three consecutive Champions League finals, a feat that no other player has achieved.
Also, this remarkable accomplishment earned him the moniker “Mr. Champions Trophy,” highlighting his ability to shine on the grandest stage of club football.
However, even after turning 39 Ronaldo has shown no sign of stopping as he netted 54 goals in 2023, leaving young players like Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe behind in the race of 2023 top goal scorer.
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