To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Cristiano Ronaldo Believes The Champions League Should Be Renamed 'The CR7 Champions League'

Cristiano Ronaldo Believes The Champions League Should Be Renamed 'The CR7 Champions League'

Cristiano Ronaldo has gone on record to say the Champions League should be named in his honour.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Cristiano Ronaldo once claimed the Champions League should be renamed the 'CR7 Champions League' due to his dominance of the competition.

On Wednesday night, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner made further Champions League history by making a record 178th appearance - moving ahead of former teammate Iker Casillas.

And once again Ronaldo stepped up to the mark to score a 95th minute winner and give Manchester United a last-gasp victory over Villarreal at Old Trafford.

Image: PA
Image: PA

So it feels fitting to hark back to some comments Ronaldo made a few years back regarding his impact on the UCL.

"Who was top scorer again? The Champions League should change its name and call itself the CR7 Champions League," he said in May 2018.

"I've won five, top scorer again, I can't be unhappy at that."

Ronaldo was speaking after winning a fifth Champions League and finishing as top scorer.

The comment might have been tongue-in-cheek but you never know with Ronaldo. Plus, he has a point.

Image: PA
Image: PA

The 36-year-old continued to bang in the goals on the biggest stage with Juventus and is doing the same in his second spell with United, where he has two in two in Europe.

He has hit more goals than anyone else in Champions League history - 136 to be exact - as well as the most goals in a single season and most goals in the knockout stages.

He's also the only player to score in three finals - once with Manchester United and twice with Real Madrid.

Ronaldo wasn't even at his best against Villarreal and there was a point where you thought he might end up being substituted.

But he proved yet again he's the definition of a player for the clutch moments when he fired past Geronimo Rulli with what was more or less the last kick of the game.

And he showed his elite, unrivalled mentality in a text with former teammate Rio Ferdinand.

Speaking after the game on BT Sport, Ferdinand revealed: "He [Cristiano Ronaldo] text me tonight saying 'I didn't' play well but I knew I'd score.'

"That's the belief that he has. The other players are feeding off it. It's a great place to be."

Featured Image Credit: Image: PA

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, Champions League, Manchester United, Real Madrid

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

X

@joshlawless_