3 Records Ronaldo Broke After Turning 30!

Despite being 34, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play at the highest level
Despite being 34, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play at the highest level

Cristiano Ronaldo has, alongside Lionel Messi, dominated football throughout the majority of his footballing career. As well as filling his trophy cabinet year after year, in a virtually peerless fashion, the Portuguese has also etched himself into whole chapters of the footballing record books.

One of the feats that amaze people most about Cristiano Ronaldo is his longevity which has seen him remain amongst the best players in the world, even at the age of 34. This is perhaps best illustrated by his move to Juventus last year, at a stage of his career where other all-time greats retired or transferred to weaker leagues in Asia or America.

This article will look at 3 amazing records that Cristiano Ronaldo has set since turning 30.


#3 First Player to win the Serie A, La Liga, and English Premier League

Cristiano Ronaldo seems to win trophies with every team he has ever played at, be it at club level or on the international stage. During his illustrious career, the Portuguese giant has played for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, the Portuguese National Team, and currently Juventus.

In the summer of 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo made the bold decision to leave Real Madrid after 9 years there and 450 goals later. The Portuguese decided to join Italian giants Juventus, where, in his first season, he won the Serie A league title.

Winning the title alone isn't all that impressive, given that Juventus has won the last 8 in a row. What is impressive, however, is the fact that in winning the 2018/19 league, Ronaldo became the first player to ever win the league title in the top flight for Spain, England, and Italy.

Whilst other players like Ibrahimovic and Robben have also won three of the top 5 league titles, no one has done so in England, Italy, and Spain.

#2 First Player to Score in Four European Championships

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored at least a goal in the2004 , 2008. 2012, and 2016 European Championships.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored at least a goal in the 2004 , 2008. 2012, and 2016 European Championships.

In 2016, Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to their first ever international trophy, by beating France in injury time. Whilst that tournament will be most remembered, perhaps, for Ronaldo being forced off early on in the match due to injury, there are other things to take from it.

Although he had only 8 touches in the final game before his early injury, Ronaldo was Portugal's top scorer in both the qualifiers and the tournament. With two important equalizers in the game against Hungary and an opening goal against Wales, Cristiano Ronaldo notably set some personal records.

Upon scoring in a 3-3 thriller against Hungary in the Group stages, which included a mesmeric backheel goal, Ronaldo became the first player in history to score in 4 separate European Championship finals.

Demonstrating the longevity and consistency that Cristiano Ronaldo has had on the International stage for Portugal.

#1 First Player to Win 5 Champions League Trophies

Cristiano Ronaldo has won a record 5 Champions League trophies.
Cristiano Ronaldo has won a record 5 Champions League trophies.

From the 2015/16 to the 2017/18 season Real Madrid, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the attack, won three Champions League trophies in a row. Whilst this was a record in itself, this wasn't a personal record for Cristiano Ronaldo as many of his teammates had been present for all three Champions League triumphs.

Nevertheless, with Real Madrid's historic victory in the 2017/18 season, which saw many memorable moments, mainly Ronaldo's sensational bicycle kick versus Juventus, Ronaldo won his 5th title which is a record for the Champions League era.

Whilst a few other players have won 5 or even 6 winner's medals, none have done so solely in the Champions League era which began in 1992. Whilst Ronaldo is commonly heralded as the 'King of the Champions League', his luck in the competition wasn't always so great, with the Portuguese titan winning 3 of his 5 titles over the age of 30.

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Edited by Nnanna Mba