Ronaldo to get UEFA all-time top scorer award wants Zidane in Saudi Arabia

Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo to be awarded as UEFA Champions League all-time top scorer.

'CR7's achievements in Europe's top club competition over more than 18 years will be recognised at the inaugural draw for the 36-team UEFA Champions League 2024/25 on Thursday 29 August at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

The former Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward has scored 140 goals in 183 matches. He is 11 goals ahead of Argentina's Leo Messi and 46 ahead of Poland's Robert Lewandowski.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the brightest stars in the UEFA Champions League constellation. His extraordinary goalscoring record in the competition seems destined to stand the test of time and provide a remarkable challenge for future generations to surpass. His continued excellence at the highest level is a testament to his relentless pursuit of both team and individual honours," said UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

"Over more than two decades, he has continued to develop and refine his game, while retaining a youthful passion for scoring and celebrating goals. His professionalism, work ethic, dedication and ability to shine on the biggest stage are qualities that footballers everywhere should aspire to," added the Slovenian.

Ronaldo has finished as the Champions League's top scorer in seven different seasons - from his eight goals in Manchester United's triumphant 2007/08 campaign to his 15-goal haul as Real Madrid claimed its third successive title in 2017/18. He also holds the record for most goals scored in a single Champions League season, having netted 17 times in 2013/14, including in the extra-time winner against Atletico Madrid in the final.

The Portuguese has won the title once with Manchester United and four times with Real Madrid - making him the first five-time winner - and is the only player to have scored in three different finals (2008, 2014, 2017). He also holds the record for the longest scoring streak in the Champions League, having scored in 11 consecutive games between June 2017 and April 2018. He has also scored a staggering eight Champions League hat-tricks.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner and three-time UEFA Men's Player of the Year is also the all-time leading scorer in all UEFA club competitions (145 goals, 197 appearances) and the most prolific player in men's international football (130 goals, 212 appearances).

Ronaldo's UEFA Champions League data:

-Appearances: 183.

-Goals: 140.

-Titles: 5 (2008, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018).

-Top scorer: 7 times (2007/08, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15*, 2015/16, 2016/17, 2017/18).

-Most goals in a single season: 17 (2013/14).

-Longest scoring streak: 11 matches.

Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane's name has once again been linked to Saudi Arabian football, a recurring theme given his current absence from coaching. This time, it's Al Nassr, the team featuring Ronaldo, that is making a serious effort to recruit the legendary former Real Madrid coach and player as they seek to stabilize their rocky season.

Al Nassr has had a difficult start to the season, compounded by a painful defeat to Al Hilal in the Super Cup, which has raised concerns among the club's leadership.

The team, built to compete at the highest levels, now finds itself far from its ambitious goals, leading to increasing uncertainty within the organization.

The current coach, Luis Castro, is under significant pressure and the club is reportedly considering a high-profile replacement, with Zidane having emerged as a top candidate.

Unlike previous coaching hires, which prioritized experience in Arab football, Al Nassr is now focusing on finding a coach with a proven track record at the highest levels of the sport to elevate the team's performance.

Ronaldo, who has gained considerable influence within the team's sporting decisions, is said to favour Zidane as the ideal choice for the job. Fernando Hierro, the club's sporting director, also plays a role in the decision-making process, but the final call will rest with the club's presidency.