Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score 900 career goals. This achievement comes after he scored a hat-trick in Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Croatia. Moreover, Ronaldo’s hat-trick solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers ever.
Cristiano Ronaldo has again etched his name in football history by becoming the first player to score 900 career goals. The milestone was reached during Portugal’s 2-1 victory over Croatia in a UEFA Nations League group stage match in Lisbon.
In the 34th minute, Ronaldo connected with a pinpoint cross from Nuno Mendes, firing a volley past the Croatian goalkeeper to double Portugal’s lead. The goal, Ronaldo’s 131st for his national team, was a testament to his remarkable longevity and consistent performance at the highest level of the sport. An emotional Ronaldo celebrated the milestone with a mix of joy and relief, acknowledging the hard work and determination required to reach this historic moment.
The 39-year-old forward has now accumulated 900 goals across his illustrious career. It includes stints at top clubs like Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Juventus, and his current team, Al Nassr. He scored 769 of his total goals in club competitions, with the rest coming from international matches for Portugal. Ronaldo’s remarkable career has seen him become the all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League, with 141 goals, and now the first man in history to score 900 goals in official matches.
After the match, Ronaldo reflects on the significance of his achievement. “It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time. I knew I would get there, but to finally do it is incredible.”
Ronaldo, often compared to his longtime rival Lionel Messi, now stands in a league of his own with this accomplishment. Messi, who is second on the all-time scoring list, has 842 career goals. However, Brazilian legend Pelé is third with 765 goals.
Jubilant Career
Ronaldo’s journey began at Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United in 2003, where he spent six seasons and scored 145 goals. His time at Real Madrid, however, was the most prolific, with an incredible 450 goals in just 438 appearances. After brief stints with Juventus and a return to Manchester United, Ronaldo joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, where he has continued to deliver stunning performances.
Despite his age, Ronaldo shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, he has already set his sights on his next target: 1,000 career goals. “If I don’t have any injuries, I believe I can reach 1,000 goals,” he said in a recent interview. With 900 goals now behind him, Ronaldo remains an extraordinary force in world football.