Cristiano Ronaldo is accustomed to setting records, but one entry in the history books has been snatched away from the former Real Madrid superstar.

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• Portuguese hit 11 knockout goals in 2017
• Matched by Falcao and Benzema
• Olympiacos forward has raised that bar

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Back in 2017, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner helped the Blancos to Champions League glory. He was a talismanic presence for the Liga giants as they swept to continental success, with 11 goals recorded across the knockout stages of elite European competition.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That haul saw Ronaldo match the efforts of ex-Porto frontman Radamel Falcao from 2011. Said achievement was then emulated by Karim Benzema in 2022 as he fired Real to another Champions League crown – and himself to a prestigious Ballon d’Or.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ronaldo and Co are, however, no longer the proud holders of a shared record when it comes to prolific exploits at the business end of UEFA competition. Ayoub El Kaabi has raised that bar of individual brilliance, with the Morocco international hitting 12 knockout goals while inspiring Olympiacos to Europa Conference League glory in 2024.

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• WHAT NEXT?

  That is one record that Ronaldo will not get the opportunity to reclaim, as he no longer plies his club trade in Europe. The evergreen frontman is still making history, though, with the 39-year-old scoring 50 goals for Al-Nassr this season – setting a new single-season best in the Saudi Pro League while also becoming the first man to win Golden Boots in four different countries.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News