Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has made it clear that he has no intention of hanging up his boots until he reaches a career milestone of 1,000 goals. The 40-year-old forward recently showcased his enduring talent and determination by netting two goals during Al-Nassr’s impressive 3-0 victory against Al Akhdoud. This performance brought his overall tally for both club and country up to an astounding 956 goals.
Having joined Al-Nassr in 2022, Ronaldo has continued to demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess, and last July, he signed a new two-year contract with the Saudi Arabian club, ensuring he will play on beyond his 42nd birthday. In a recent event, after being honored as the Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai, Ronaldo expressed his enthusiasm for the game. “It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” he shared.
“My passion is high, and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe. I always enjoy playing football, and I want to keep going.” He acknowledged his ambition, stating, “You know what my goal is. I want to win trophies, and I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries.”
In a candid interview with Piers Morgan last month, Ronaldo hinted at his retirement plans, saying he might step away from the sport “soon.” “I think I will be prepared. It will be tough, of course. I will probably cry,” he admitted, reflecting on the emotional weight of leaving a sport to which he has dedicated so much of his life.
As of this season, Ronaldo has made a significant impact, scoring 13 goals in just 14 appearances for Al-Nassr, who currently sit four points clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. Despite his stellar individual record of 112 goals in 125 appearances for the club, Al-Nassr has secured only one piece of silverware during his tenure—the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023.
Ronaldo’s legacy is further solidified through his record for the most goals scored for Portugal (143) and Real Madrid (450). Remarkably, he is the only player to have scored over 100 goals for four different clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr. With the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico on the horizon, Ronaldo announced that it would be his last international tournament. He captained Portugal to victory in Euro 2016, marking a historic achievement as the nation’s first international men’s trophy.
As his career progresses, the world watches closely to see if he will reach that monumental 1,000-goal milestone and how he will ultimately conclude a legendary career that has captivated football fans everywhere.
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