Scoring for more than two decades – Ronaldo’s goals
Cristiano Ronaldo, the legendary Portuguese forward, achieved a remarkable milestone on Thursday by scoring his 900th career goal. The goal came during Portugal’s Nations League match against Croatia, where Ronaldo put his team 2-0 ahead. The emotional celebration that followed saw him drop to his knees in tears. This goal marked his 131st for Portugal and added to his impressive goal tally at club level for Sporting Lisbon, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and his current club Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo’s longevity in the game is truly astonishing. To put it in perspective, if someone had been born when he scored his first competitive goal, they would now be 21 years old. That first goal came for Sporting Lisbon on October 7, 2002, when Ronaldo was just 17 years, eight months, and three days old. He then went on to make his mark at Manchester United, scoring an impressive 118 goals in 293 games before his move to Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world-record fee. During his nine years at the Spanish club, Ronaldo scored a staggering 450 goals in just 438 games. His goal-scoring prowess continued at Juventus, where he added another 101 goals to his tally.
After a brief return to Manchester United, Ronaldo made a move to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, where he has already scored 68 goals and counting. This demonstrates his unwavering hunger for goals and his ability to adapt to different leagues and playing styles.
Is Ronaldo the top scorer ever?
While there isn’t a centralized database to establish the all-time top scorer in men’s football, Ronaldo has already secured his position as one of the leading goal-scorers. He surpassed the 800-goal mark during his second spell at Manchester United, making him the leading scorer in official games at a high level. It’s worth noting that Brazil legends Pele and Romario have separately claimed to have scored over 1,000 goals each. However, when friendlies are excluded, their goal tallies drop into the 700s. According to unofficial statisticians RSSSF, Pele scored 778 goals, while Romario scored 785. Lionel Messi, Ronaldo’s long-time rival, has scored 867 career goals to date.
‘I want 1,000’ – Ronaldo not done yet
Despite being 39 years old, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. He is determined to continue playing until he reaches the incredible milestone of 1,000 career goals. In an interview with his former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo expressed confidence that he could achieve this feat within the next couple of years. “I want to reach 1,000 goals,” he said. Ronaldo’s dedication to his craft and his relentless pursuit of excellence have been evident throughout his career, and this ambition to reach 1,000 goals is a testament to his unwavering commitment.
In conclusion, Cristiano Ronaldo’s 900th career goal is a testament to his incredible talent, longevity, and dedication to the game. With a goal-scoring prowess that spans over two decades, he has left an indelible mark on the footballing world. As he continues to chase the milestone of 1,000 goals, Ronaldo’s legacy as one of the greatest players in history is firmly cemented.