Can Cristiano Ronaldo reach 1000 Goals? A Portuguese legend shares his thoughts

NEW DELHI: Cristiano Ronaldo achieved a significant milestone in his illustrious career by scoring his 900th goal during Portugal's Nations League match against Croatia at the Estadio da Luz. The goal came in the 34th minute when Ronaldo connected with a close-range volley from a Nuno Mendes cross, putting his team 2-0 ahead.
Overwhelmed with emotion, the Portuguese star fell to the ground, acknowledging the magnitude of the moment.
Throughout his career, Ronaldo has amassed an impressive tally of goals across various clubs and the national team.
His international goal count now stands at 131, while he scored 450 goals for Real Madrid, 145 for Manchester United, 101 for Juventus, and 68 for his current club Al Nassr. Additionally, he netted five goals for his first professional club, Sporting Lisbon.
"It means a lot," Ronaldo said after Portugal's 2-1 win. "It was a milestone I wanted to reach for a long time. I knew I would reach this number, because as I continue to play, it would happen naturally."
During the celebration, Ronaldo raised his hands to his face and dropped to his knees, visibly moved by the achievement. He later explained, "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."
At the age of 39, the Portuguese star continues to showcase his goal-scoring prowess, proving that age is just a number when it comes to his exceptional abilities on the pitch.
Despite speculation about his potential retirement, Ronaldo has made it clear that he still has more to offer. He has already announced that the upcoming Euro 2024 will be his final appearance in the European Championship.
Jorge Andrade, a former Portuguese star, believes that Ronaldo is capable of achieving this seemingly impossible feat. Speaking at the Thinking Football Summit organized by Liga Portugal, Andrade expressed his confidence in Ronaldo's ability to score 100 more goals before retiring. "With Cristiano Ronaldo, nothing is impossible," Andrade stated.
He highlighted Ronaldo's exceptional fitness, minimal injury history, and strategic management of his efforts for both club and country as key factors in his potential to break the 1,000-goal barrier, a record long associated with the legendary Pele.
Andrade said, "Since we've watched football, the idea of the 1,000 goals is associated with our great idol, Pele but nowadays, both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have managed to overcome other idols, Diego Maradona and Pele."
Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, has amassed an impressive tally of goals throughout his illustrious career. With 859 goals to his name, he currently occupies the second position on the list of all-time top scorers.
"They (Ronaldo and Messi) managed to be the highlight of the football game in a short time. It's not surprising Ronaldo can break that record. He looks after his body. He has a history of very few injuries. In terms of the Portuguese national team and the league he is in, he manages his efforts well." he added
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi's remarkable goal-scoring prowess has been a defining feature of their playing style. Their ability to find the back of the net with such consistency has solidified their status as one of the greatest footballers in history.