ISLAMABAD: Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has declared his intention to continue his legendary career until he reaches the monumental milestone of 1,000 career goals.
The 39-year-old forward made the statement after receiving the Best Middle East Player award at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Sunday.
“You know what my goal is. I want to reach that number [1,000 goals] that you all know. I will reach the number for sure, if no injuries,” Ronaldo said.
Driven by Passion and Motivation
The Al-Nassr star emphasized that his passion for the game remains undimmed, fuelling his desire to extend his career.
“It’s hard to continue playing, but I am motivated,” he stated. “My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going.”
His comments come despite a recent interview with Piers Morgan where he indicated retirement was on the horizon “soon,” admitting, “It will be tough, of course. I will probably cry.”
Inching Closer to the Landmark
Ronaldo’s quest was boosted by a brace in Al-Nassr’s 3-0 win against Al Akhdoud on Saturday, taking his combined tally for club and country to 956 goals.
Since joining the Saudi Pro League side in 2022, he has scored 112 goals in 125 appearances and leads the league’s scoring charts this season with 13 goals in 14 matches.
His new contract with Al-Nassr, signed last July, runs until 2027, providing a clear pathway toward his target.
Legacy of Record-Breaking Scoring
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner already holds numerous scoring records.
He is the all-time top scorer for Portugal (143 goals) and Real Madrid (450 goals), and is the only player to have scored over 100 goals for four different clubs: Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and Al-Nassr. Despite his prolific output at Al-Nassr, the club has only secured one trophy—the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup—since his arrival.
The Final Push
With 44 goals needed to reach 1,000, Ronaldo’s declaration sets the stage for the final chapter of his unparalleled career.
As Al-Nassr currently leads the Saudi Pro League, his immediate focus remains on winning more trophies while chasing history.
The football world now watches as one of the game’s greatest ever goal scorers begins his final countdown to an unprecedented landmark.
