Cristiano Ronaldo dominates Champions League records and is expected to help endless Manchester United in this year’s campaign.
He currently holds a host of incredible Champions League records with achievements like being the only player to score in all six group stage games.
Ronaldo’s highly anticipated return to United certainly didn’t disappoint.
The Portuguese star scored two goals against Newcastle and sparked a social media frenzy as he even broke a new record in his first return leg.
Now, however, attentions may turn to his Champions League exploits with the team with which he won his first European trophy.
Ronaldo has won the most Champions League finals, with one trophy at United and four at Real Madrid.
If that wasn’t enough, he also scored the most goals in the competition with 134 beating Lionel Messi (120), Robert Lewandowski (73), Raul Gonzalez and Karim Benzema (71).
Ronaldo’s Champions League record
- Games played: 176
- Goals scored: 134 (0.76 goals per game)
- Most goals in Champions League: 17 (2013/14)
- Most goals in Champions League round of 16: 67
- Most wins in Champions League final: 5
- Penalties scored: 19 (19/22 penalties scored)
- Free kicks scored: 12
- Different teams scored against: 35 in the Champions League
Ronaldo, now 36, also has 86 Premier League goals and will be looking forward to reaching the hundredth mark this season.
Despite his age, he continually breaks records and scores goals when other legends have already hung up.
This could be attributed to his training regime and diet which is already impressing his United team-mates.
Former United deputy manager Rene Meulensteen told talkSPORT his success was down to his drive and determination.
He said, “He’s so determined, so committed. Anything anyone threw at him, not just me but Carlos Queiroz, Mike Clegg of strength and conditioning and Tony Strudwick and Sir Alex Ferguson, he took it all like a sponge.
“He knew everything to add to be the best player in the world, and more importantly, for Manchester United.
“He would take that into account and now he’s an established professional footballer who has won a lot for the club, for the country and personal trophies.”
Jamie O’Hara said on talkSPORT of Ronaldo’s return: “It was nostalgic. It really was. I grew up and Man United were the best team back then along with Ronaldo and Rooney.
“The way he passed the players, cut the players, showed his pace. I was thinking ‘wow’, 36 years old. It was amazing to watch.
“It seemed like old Man United was back.
He added: “I have to say I know I’m a Spurs fan, but Spurs aren’t going to win the league.
“I actually want Man United to win the league because that nostalgic feeling I had was brought back to watching them.”