Cristiano Ronaldo simply won't stop breaking records. At 39, the Portuguese star has reached another milestone in his career, reaching 900 goals in official matches. This feat took place in Portugal's opening game in the 2024/25 Nations League, a win over Croatia. With it, Ronaldo makes a statement of his status as the best active scorer-and arguably of all time-in official games. What is so special about this milestone, and why does he continue to stand as one of the greatest names in the history of soccer?
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The Weight of 900 Goals: More Than Just Numbers
Cristiano Ronaldo has been a copious scorer, but more importantly, an icon of longevity and consistency. After the game, he highlighted how much work it took to keep such a high level at 39, really so rare in elite soccer. "It's a lot of daily work, a lot of consistency, a lot of preparation," Ronaldo said. Those words brought forth insight into the work ethic that underpinned his extraordinary, near twenty-year success.
The 900-goal mark is more than just a neat, round number; it epitomizes what has been a career of dedication and discipline, carefully planned and executed with surgical precision. Each goal is a new chapter in his story, one that cements his place among the immortals of the sport.
Consistency: Ronaldo's Secret Weapon
When considering Ronaldo's trajectory, consistency perhaps defines the most astonishing feature of his career. That gives him an average of 0.72 goals per game over 1,238 matches-a number that shows impressive regularity in a sport as competitive and physical as soccer. Between his 800th goal, scored in December 2021, and his 900th, only two and a half years went by. A sure sign that even into the autumn of his career, Ronaldo remains lethal on the field.
Averaging 53 games per season since turning 30, the likelihood of Ronaldo reaching 1,000 goals before he is 42 is fairly realistic. It is an idea adding to the myth of him-that he is some kind of unstoppable phenomenon in soccer.
Pointless Comparisons: Ronaldo and His Rivals
Every time Cristiano Ronaldo sets a new record, comparisons with his rivals-most of all with Lionel Messi-are never far behind. But what really sets him apart is not just his goal haul, but how he revamped himself and succeeded in sustaining his level over the years. In comparison, other forwards like Lewandowski, with 672 goals, Luis Suárez, with 578, and Cavani, with 457, are included among the top scorers, none of them have managed such consistency and longevity as Ronaldo has. Sets him apart in a league of his own, way from the pack.
The Real Madrid Connection: A Love Story
If there is one club intrinsically linked to Cristiano Ronaldo's career, that is Real Madrid. During nine years at Santiago Bernabéu, Ronaldo scored 450 goals, becoming the club's all-time top scorer. His relationship with Real Madrid is not about stats; it's an emotional link. After the 900-goal milestone, the club didn't waste any time congratulating him. Via social media, the merengue club celebrated the achievement and released words that show the pride all the Madrid fans feel for Ronaldo.
The words of Real Madrid ring true with what Ronaldo was able to do in the field. Of course, he is a club legend and will continue to be saluted for years to come. After all, 450 goals in 438 games and 15 titles make for a pretty legendary chapter in his career. For many, his time at Real Madrid was the pinnacle of his career, both in terms of achievements and his incredible goal-scoring ability.
The Future: The Road to 1,000 Goals
The question on everybody's lips, now that he has 900 goals in the bag, is: how far will Cristiano Ronaldo go? Throughout his career, he has proved to be relentless, always pushing past his limits. Continuing at the rate at which he is going, he will need around 151 more games for 1,000 goals. He would, therefore, be the first player ever to such a mark in official matches.
The forward still has shown plenty of fuel in the tank, even as age is starting to catch up. His move to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia might insinuate some slowdown, but Ronaldo does keep scoring. With 68 goals already in the Saudi club, it would be fair to say a change of scenery hasn't diminished his hunger for finding the back of the net.
A Milestone for the Ages
Cristiano Ronaldo's 900 goals don't tell a number but speak volumes for his legacy, built over almost two decades of hard work, discipline, and passion for soccer. The 39-year-old Portuguese icon is bewildering onsets that have completely readvised the possible things an elite athlete could do.
However, his concentration and commitment go beyond the limitation of the sport. Will he touch 1,000 goals? Only time can tell. But knowing Ronaldo's mindset, it is safe enough to say he is far from satisfied. As he puts it, these "small records" are what fuel him.