Cristiano Ronaldo has become a defining figure in the UEFA Champions League, a tournament where greatness is measured by trophies and moments of brilliance. His journey is marked by relentless pursuit of victory.
From his breakthrough at Manchester United to his dominance with Real Madrid, his Champions League career is a testament to skill and perseverance. Each title he’s won reflects not only personal excellence but also the strength of his teams.
Few players have matched his impact on soccer’s biggest stage. His UCL titles highlight a legacy built on key goals and clutch performances, underscoring why he remains one of the competition’s all-time greats.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s total Champions League titles
Cristiano Ronaldo has secured the UEFA Champions League trophy on five occasions throughout his career. His initial triumph came while playing for Manchester United, and he subsequently won four more titles wearing the Real Madrid jersey.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United bites his winners medal following his team’s victory during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at the Luzhniki Stadium on May 21, 2008 in Moscow, Russia.
This record firmly establishes him as one of the most successful players in the history of the competition. Beyond just the titles, his impact on the tournament has been monumental, both in terms of goals scored and his ability to perform in critical moments.
In which years and teams did Cristiano Ronaldo win the Champions League?
Ronaldo’s first Champions League win was in 2008 with Manchester United, where they defeated Chelsea in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. After transferring to Real Madrid, he had to wait six years before claiming his second title in 2014.
However, once he broke that drought, he went on to dominate the competition with victories in 2016, 2017 and 2018. These wins span a decade, showcasing how he maintained peak form well into his 30s.
- 2008 (age 23): Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (6-5 on penalties)
- 2014 (age 29): Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (after extra time)
- 2016 (age 31): Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid (5-3 on penalties)
- 2017 (age 32): Real Madrid 4-1 Juventus
- 2018 (age 33): Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool
What are the key moments in Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League victories?
Cristiano Ronaldo demonstrated his ability to influence key matches. In the 2008 campaign with Manchester United, he scored crucial goals in knockout rounds, including against Lyon and Roma, before netting in the final itself. Although he missed his penalty in the shootout, the team’s victory marked the start of his legacy in the tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid kisses the trophy after winning the UEFA Champions League Final match between Real Madrid and Club Atletico de Madrid on May 28, 2016. (Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
During his time at Real Madrid, his performances reached new heights.
The 2013-14 season was especially remarkable as he scored 17 goals, the highest tally ever recorded by a player in a single Champions League season.
His goals against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid were pivotal, and his celebration after the final goal against Atletico became iconic. He made history by becoming the first player to score in two Champions League finals for different clubs.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s continued European dominance and milestones
His influence didn’t stop in 2014. In the 2015-16 season, he set a new all-time scoring record for the competition and delivered memorable performances, including a hat-trick against Shakhtar Donetsk and another against Wolfsburg. His calmness under pressure was evident as he scored the winning penalty in the 2016 final shootout against Atletico Madrid.
The following season, Cristiano Ronaldo further cemented his place among the legends by hitting key goals against Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, including multiple hat-tricks that helped Real Madrid secure another Champions League title in 2017.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid lifts The UEFA Champions League trophy following his sides victory in during the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine.
His performances were so extraordinary that he became the first player to reach 100 Champions League goals during this period. The 2018 final also saw him contribute decisively to Real Madrid’s win over Liverpool, securing his fifth Champions League trophy.
How does Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League record compare to other players?
Cristiano Ronaldo’s five Champions League titles put him among the elite in the history of European club soccer. While he surpasses Lionel Messi in terms of titles won in this competition, he shares the number of final victories with Karim Benzema, who also reached five titles each after Madrid’s 2022 triumph. Former teammates Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal, however, surpassed CR7 in 2024.
Still, the all-time record for most European Cup/Champions League titles is held by Francisco Gento, who won six titles with Real Madrid during the 1950s and 1960s. Other legendary players with five titles include Paolo Maldini and Alfredo Di Stéfano, highlighting the exclusivity of Ronaldo’s achievements.
Players with most European Cup/Champions League titles (all time)
- 6 Francisco Gento (Real Madrid)
- 6 Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
- 6 Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
- 5 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Real Madrid)
- 5 Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)
- 5 Paolo Maldini (AC Milan)
- 5 Alfredo Di Stéfano (Real Madrid)
- 5 José María Zárraga (Real Madrid)
- 4 Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
