For nearly two decades, Cristiano Ronaldo has been the epitome of sustained brilliance and consistency, scoring goals and winning trophies for both club and country.
Ronaldo has carved out many eye-catching records in the biggest of competitions during his illustrious professional career. In his third Serie A season, the all-time top scorer in UEFA Champions League and Real Madrid history is on the verge of winning his first Capocannonieri award.
Let’s take a look at five of Ronaldo’s lesser-known or underappreciated records over the years.
5. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for being the oldest player to score a hat-trick in a FIFA World Cup match
Cristiano Ronaldo made his FIFA World Cup 2018 debut by scoring a stunning hat-trick to help European champions Portugal earn a thrilling 3-3 draw against former champions Spain.
Ronaldo, who was 33 at the time, became the oldest player in the quadrennial competition to score a hat-trick.
In the process, Portugal’s captain became the first player in a major tournament to score three or more goals against Spain.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo holds the record for most assists in the Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo holds a slew of Champions League records. While he holds the record for most goals and appearances by an outfield player in Champions League history, the 36-year-old also holds the record for most assists (37) in the competition.
Ronaldo’s goal-scoring prowess in the competition is well-known. Even when he isn’t scoring, the Portuguese is a dangerous threat in the attacking third, as he frequently sets up teammates for goals.
3. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 100 goals in all competitions for Juventus in the quickest time
Ronaldo has continued his prolific goalscoring exploits for Juventus despite the Bianconeri having a forgettable 2020-21 season.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the quickest player in Juventus history to score a century of goals in all competitions when he scored in their 3-1 Serie A victory over Sassuolo. It took Omar Sivori and Roberto Baggio five seasons to score the same number of goals for Juventus.
Ronaldo has scored 36 goals this season, including a league-leading 29 Serie A goals. He scored 28 goals in his debut season in 2018-19 and 37 goals the following season.
2. In European Championships and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Cristiano Ronaldo has the most goals
In the Champions League, European Championships, and Club World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo is the top scorer (joint or solo) for club and country.
Few people are aware, however, that the 36-year-old is also the top scorer in FIFA World Cup and European Championship qualifiers.
His 31 goals in Euro qualifiers put him eight goals ahead of second-placed Robbie Keane. Ronaldo’s 40 goals in the European Championships qualifying and tournament are unsurprisingly the most by any player in the competition’s history.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player in Champions League history to score ten goals for three different teams
Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to have scored ten or more Champions League goals for three different clubs in the competition’s history.
For Manchester United, Ronaldo has 15 Champions League goals, 105 for Real Madrid, and 14 for Juventus.
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