RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo has maintained an extraordinary scoring rate of more than 50 goals per year since 2010, reaching an astonishing 948 career goals. According to Sky Sports’ Between the Lines, the Portuguese forward is projected to hit the 1,000-goal mark by October 2026 if he keeps up his current form.
Ronaldo extended his record as the top scorer in World Cup qualifying history this week, netting twice in Portugal’s 2–2 draw against Hungary to take his total to 41 goals — surpassing Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz (39) and Argentina’s Lionel Messi (36).
Longevity and Records Across Club and Country
The Al-Nassr forward has scored 143 goals in 225 appearances for Portugal and 805 goals in 1,068 club matches across his career. Since joining the Saudi Pro League side, Ronaldo has netted 104 times in 117 games, with 32 goals already for club and country in 2025.
Remarkably, the veteran striker has averaged more than 50 goals per calendar year for 15 consecutive years. His peak came in 2013, when he scored 69 goals and won the Ballon d’Or. Only once since then has his yearly tally dipped below 39.
Earnings and Legacy Beyond the Pitch
Ronaldo also leads Forbes’ 2025 list of the world’s highest-paid athletes, with $280 million in annual earnings. The 40-year-old, who became the first footballer to reach billionaire status, recently signed a two-year contract extension with Al-Nassr, solidifying his dominance on and off the field.
His 948 goals showcase both power and precision: 608 with his right foot, 181 with his left, and 157 headers — roughly 17% of his total. He has scored 178 penalties and 135 goals from outside the box, including 64 direct free-kicks. With 311 goals from his Real Madrid years in La Liga, Ronaldo’s unparalleled consistency continues to redefine football history.
