Cristiano Ronaldo achieves 900 career goals

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By Martin Graham | 6th Sep 2024
Cristiano Ronaldo reached a major career milestone on Thursday by scoring his 900th career goal. The 39-year-old forward achieved this feat while playing for Portugal in their Nations League match against Croatia, putting his team ahead 2-0. His emotional response was evident as he celebrated by kneeling by the corner flag and shedding tears.

This goal marked Ronaldo’s 131st for Portugal. His impressive tally also includes goals scored for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and his current team, Al-Nassr. Reflecting on this achievement, Ronaldo expressed the significance of reaching this milestone, acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to stay fit and perform at such a high level.

The journey to 900 goals
Ronaldo’s career spans over two decades, with his first competitive goal coming on October 7, 2002, when he was just 17 years old, scoring twice for Sporting Lisbon in a 3-0 win against Moreirense. He subsequently moved to Manchester United, where he netted 118 goals in 293 appearances. His next chapter was at Real Madrid, where he scored an astounding 450 goals in 438 matches over nine years.

After his successful stint in Spain, Ronaldo joined Juventus and added 101 goals to his career total during his three-year tenure in Italy. A brief return to Manchester United followed, where he scored 27 goals in 54 games. In 2023, he transitioned to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, where he has since scored 68 goals and counting.

Throughout his career, Ronaldo has demonstrated remarkable longevity, with nearly half of his goals coming since he turned 30. His scoring includes 164 penalties and 64 free-kicks, with 768 goals scored inside the area and 132 from outside. His tally also includes 573 goals with his right foot, 173 with his left, and 152 headers.

Is Ronaldo the all-time top scorer?
Determining the all-time top scorer in men’s football is challenging due to varying records. Ronaldo is recognized as the leading scorer in official high-level games, surpassing 800 goals during his second spell at Manchester United. Brazilian legends Pele and Romario have claimed to have scored over 1,000 goals each, but their numbers, when filtered to include only official matches, drop to the 700s. According to unofficial sources, Pele scored 778 goals and Romario 785.

Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s long-time rival, has currently scored 867 career goals. Despite the uncertainty in ranking, Ronaldo remains a dominant figure in football scoring history.

Future Aspirations and Retirement Plans

At 39 years old, Ronaldo is determined to continue playing with the aim of reaching 1,000 career goals. In a recent interview with former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo expressed confidence in achieving this target, provided he avoids injuries. He emphasized that he aims to enjoy football, with records coming naturally as a result.

While there is speculation about whether Ronaldo will play for Portugal in the 2026 World Cup, he has stated that winning the Euros is equally fulfilling as winning a World Cup. Ronaldo remains focused on enjoying his football career and pursuing further records.

Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer