Van Dijk, Haaland and Other Footballers Acknowledge Cristiano Ronaldo’s Evident Influence in the UCL

Unmatched success in the UEFA Champions League confirms Cristiano Ronaldo's rank as the best in the tournament. Ronaldo's influence and supremacy in the toughest club competition in history are unmatched, with five championship triumphs and a record-breaking goal-scoring record, thereby securing his legendary legacy above everyone else in football history.

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The impact of Cristiano Ronaldo on the UCL is demonstrated by Virgil van Dijk, Erling Haaland, and other luminaries

Without a doubt, Cristiano Ronaldo ranks among the UEFA Champions League's all-time icons. With an amazing total of 140, including 67 scored during the knockout phases, the Portuguese great owns the record for most goals in the history of the tournament.

Having played for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, Ronaldo is also among the very few players who have hit the net for several teams in the Champions League.

Many top players of the Champions League name him as their main association as he has such great impact on the game. Stars including Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Riccardo Calafiori and many other stars recently included his name in a social media post from the official Champions League page on their favourite players in the tournament.

 "First player that comes to mind when you think Champions League?"

• Halaand: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Van Dijk: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• De Bruyne: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Wirtz: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Alisson: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Calafiori: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Trent Alexander: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Foden: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Bastoni: "Cristiano Ronaldo"
• Gittens: "Cristiano Ronaldo"

Ronaldo left Manchester United in November 2022, then joined Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League; he has not taken part in the Champions League since. With Lionel Messi behind at 129, he had established himself as a major force in the tournament before his leave collecting 140 goals—more than any other player.

Ronaldo has five Champions League crowns and three final goals, a record in and all by itself. Along with one trophy with Manchester United and four with Real Madrid, where he also accomplished the amazing record of three consecutive Champions League triumphs back in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

From the 2007–08 season until the 2017–18 season, he was the top scorer in the competition seven times, including an amazing 17 goals during the 2013–14 campaign—which saw him lead Real Madrid's drive.

With 105 goals in merely 101 Champions League games, he also remains Real Madrid's all-time top scorer. Raúl is fourth with 66 goals in 130 games; Karim Benzema is third with 78 goals in 133 games.