Cristiano Ronaldo made history once again, becoming the first men’s player to score 900 official goals during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Croatia on Thursday.
The 39-year-old forward achieved the landmark with a clinical volley from six yards off a cross from Nuno Mendes in the 34th minute, doubling Portugal’s lead to 2-0. Portugal went on to win the match 2-1.
Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d’Or winner, now sits 58 goals ahead of his closest rival, Lionel Messi, who has netted 842 times. Brazilian legend Pelé is third on the all-time list with 765 goals.
This is not the first time Ronaldo has shattered scoring records. He was the first player to break the 800-goal barrier, doing so in 2021 during his second spell with Manchester United. Ronaldo also holds the record for most international goals, with 131 goals in 209 appearances for Portugal. Messi and former Iran striker Ali Daei are tied for second with 109 international goals.
The Portuguese star’s remarkable club career has seen him score 769 goals across stints with Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and his current club, Al Nassr.
Despite being in the twilight of his career, Ronaldo has set his sights on an even loftier goal. Speaking recently with his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand on his YouTube channel, Ronaldo revealed his ambition to score 1,000 goals.
“I want to reach 1,000 goals,” Ronaldo said, estimating that he could achieve this milestone by the age of 41. “If I don’t have any injuries, this is the most important [thing] for me, and I want that.”
Ronaldo also emphasized that his goal tally is fully documented, something that sets him apart from football legends of the past.
“All the goals I have scored, they have video,” he said, referencing players like Pelé and Alfredo Di Stefano, whose achievements occurred in an era with less media coverage. “They all have video… And if you want more goals, I can bring them from training too.”
