Cristiano Ronaldo Makes History with His 900th Career Goal, Eyes 1,000 as Next Milestone

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal in Portugal’s🇵🇹 UEFA Nations League group stage match against Croatia🇭🇷 on Thursday night, extending his record for most international goals in world football.

The Portugal captain became the first player to score 900 goals in official matches in world football history. His closest rivals, Lionel Messi, is second with 842 goals, while Brazilian legend Pelé is third with 765 goals.

On Thursday, he volleyed in a Nuno Mendes cross in the 34th minute, securing Portugal’s second goal in their 2-1 victory.

This marked Ronaldo’s 131st goal for Portugal. Together with his 769 club goals, the Portugal captain became the first male player to score 900 goals in official matches.

“It means a lot. It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time. I knew I would reach this number because as I continued to play, it would happen naturally,” an emotional Ronaldo said after the match.

“It was emotional because it’s a milestone. It seems like any other milestone, but only I know, and the people around me, how hard it is to work every day, to be physically and psychologically fit, to score 900 goals. It’s a unique milestone in my career.”

Eyeing The 1000th

The 39-year-old, five-time Ballon d’Or winner has set his eyes on even more goals. In his recently launched YouTube channel, Ronaldo told his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand he is already eyeing his 1000th career goal.

“I want to reach 1,000 goals. If I don’t have any injuries, this for me is the most important (thing), I want that. For me, the best mark that I can have in football is to reach 900 goals first. After, my challenge is to be at 1,000 goals.”

Ronaldo’s latest milestone adds to his highly decorated career, which includes holding the record for most Champions League goals at 141.

He began his club career with Sporting CP before joining Manchester United in 2003. After six seasons at United, he moved to Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid, where he accumulated 450 goals in 438 games in his nine years at the club. After playing with Italian side Juventus for two years, Ronaldo returned to the Red Devils in 2021 and played until 2023 before departing for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

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