Cristiano Ronaldo

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ronaldo's Champions League journey began after his move to Manchester United. On 14 August 2002, the 17-year-old played his first match for Sporting CP's first team in a friendly against Inter Milan, coming on in the 58th minute. His move to Manchester United was completed on 12 August 2003, too late for the 2003 FA Community Shield match but in time for United's game against the Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the 2003–04 season. He was the first Portuguese player to sign for the club. His transfer fee made him, at the time, the most expensive teenager in English football history. During the group stage of the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, Ronaldo scored his first goals in the competition, netting twice in a 7–1 win over Roma. He also scored once in the first semi-final leg against Milan, which ended in a 3–2 win. In the knockout stage of the 2008 UEFA Champions League, Ronaldo scored the decisive goal against Lyon to help United advance to the quarter-finals 2–1 on aggregate; while playing as a striker, he scored in the 3–0 aggregate win over Roma. United defeated Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out in the final, with Ronaldo scoring once. As the Champions League top scorer, Ronaldo was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year. He spent nine seasons with Madrid, winning four Champions League titles and becoming the club's top goalscorer with 450 goals.

In Their Own Story

The 2008 UEFA Champions League final in Moscow. United faced Chelsea. The match went to a penalty shoot-out. Ronaldo stepped up and scored his penalty. United won the shoot-out, and Ronaldo lifted his first Champions League trophy. He was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year as the competition's top scorer. In 2024, UEFA recognised his record-breaking goalscoring by awarding him the special award Champions League All-Time Top Scorer.

Reader's Guide

Champions League Titles (4 with Real Madrid, 1 with Manchester United): Ronaldo won the trophy in 2008 with Manchester United, scoring in the penalty shoot-out against Chelsea. He spent nine seasons with Madrid, winning four Champions League titles. Champions League All-Time Top Scorer: In 2024, UEFA awarded Ronaldo the special award Champions League All-Time Top Scorer in recognition of his record-breaking goalscoring. UEFA Club Footballer of the Year: After the 2007–08 season, Ronaldo was named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year as the Champions League top scorer. First Champions League Goals: Ronaldo scored his first goals in the competition at the quarter-final stage of the 2006–07 UEFA Champions League, scoring twice in a 7–1 win over Roma. He also scored once in the first semi-final leg against Milan.

Did You Know?

• Ronaldo made his first appearance for Sporting CP's first team at age 17, coming on in the 58th minute of a friendly against Inter Milan on 14 August 2002.
• He scored his first Champions League goals in the group stage of the 2006–07 season, netting twice in a 7–1 win over Roma.
• Ronaldo scored the decisive goal against Lyon in the 2008 Champions League knockout stage to help United advance 2–1 on aggregate.
• He scored a penalty in the 2008 Champions League final shoot-out as Manchester United defeated Chelsea.
• Ronaldo holds the record as the all-time top scorer in Champions League history.