Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time leading goalscorer in Champions League history, with 140 goals in 181 Champions League matches. He also holds the record for most UCL goals in a single season and is one of a handful of players to have won five European titles.
That being said, let’s take a look back at Ronaldo’s most spectacular UCL goals of all time.
Real Madrid vs. Liverpool, Champions League group stages (Oct. 22, 2014)
With four players surrounding the Portuguese striker, Ronaldo flicks it to James Rodriguez and continues his run toward the goal, one-timing the Rodriguez return pass into the back of the net. Sublime set up and finish.
Ronaldo vs Juventus, 2018 Champions League Quarter Final
With over 100 goals in Champions League, Ronaldo will need to look no further for his one of his best goals when he sprung into the air like a gymnast and smashed the ball in the back of the net. Not bad for a so-called aging 33-year-old.
Real Madrid vs. Atletico, Champions League semifinal first leg (May 2, 2017)
Despite a 659-minute drought of goals in European competition, Ronaldo only needed a hat trick against La Liga rivals Atletico to quiet his critics and help his team advance in the Champions League. His second goal was particularly stellar, winning the ball off the defender before smashing it into the back of the net.
40 yards out, Manchester United vs. Porto, Champions League quarterfinal second leg (April 15, 2009)
Talk about a hit! In a quarterfinal second leg match against Porto, Ronaldo sends a scorcher into the goal from 40 yards out. The wonder goal helped push United on to the next round and onto its way to winning the tournament as part of the team’s Premier League title that year. Meanwhile, Real Madrid must have been chomping at the bit to sign Ronaldo as soon as possible.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea 2007/08 Champions League Finals
In an all English cup Champions League final, Ronaldo outjumps Michael Essien in the 26th minute to put in a bullet header off a chipped ball in from Wes Brown. Manchester United won the final in a 6-5 penalty shootout.
Manchester United vs. Sporting Lisbon 2007/08 Champions League Group Stages
Playing against his old team, Ronaldo cracks in a free-kick from about 35 yards out with enough pace and dip on the ball to deceive the goalie. The grimace on his face is priceless, begging the question: ‘What did you expect?’
Manchester vs Arsenal, Semifinal second leg 2008/09 Champions League
Ronaldo sends in an insane 40-yard free-kick blast full of power and accuracy against Arsenal in the 2008/09 Champions League semi-final second leg at the Emirates.
Real Madrid vs. Zurich 2009 Champions League Group Stages
In his first Champions League goal with Los Blancos, Ronaldo crushes a trademark free-kick into the top-left corner of the net. He’d score yet another free-kick later in the game to help Real Madrid defeat Zurich 5-1.
Real Madrid vs Marseille, Group Stage 2009
This CR7 long-range free-kick is an absolute smack of power. The ball just seems to glide and float in the air and hit its target like a homing missile. Madrid’s win guaranteed them a top spot in their Group.
Real Madrid vs. Ajax, 2011/12 Group Stage
Even one of the best players in the world would have to admit that ‘there’s no I in team’. In a fantastic Real Madrid counterattack against Ajax, the team plays tika-taka down the field with the ball ending at the feet of you know who.
Real Madrid vs. AS Roma 2016 Round of 16 2015/16
In one of Ronaldo’s trademark moves, aka the chop, he acts like he’s going one way and then quickly cuts a pass to himself to lead in another direction. In this case, that change in direction led to one-shot into the top right corner.
