In a historic moment for soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo scored the 900th goal of his illustrious career during Portugal’s UEFA Nations League match against Croatia on Thursday.
The iconic forward found the net in the 34th minute, volleying in a cross from Nuno Mendes, and helped secure a 2-1 victory for his team.
Ronaldo’s latest goal is not just a personal achievement; it also marks his 131st for the Portuguese national team, extending his record for the most international goals in football history.
With 769 goals scored at the club level, Ronaldo has become the first male player to reach the remarkable milestone of 900 official goals.
After the match, an emotional Ronaldo reflected on the significance of the milestone. “It means a lot,” he said, according to the Associated Press.
“It was a milestone I’ve wanted to achieve for a long time. I knew I would get here; as I keep playing, it would come naturally.”
At 39 years old, Ronaldo is also the first male player to surpass 800 combined goals for both club and country, a feat highlighted by the Olympics. His longstanding rival, Lionel Messi, sits in second place with 842 goals, while Brazilian legend Pelé follows closely with 765 goals, according to ESPN.
Ronaldo’s storied career includes numerous accolades, including holding the record for the most Champions League goals with 141.
In a recent YouTube video featuring former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Ronaldo expressed his ambition to reach 1,000 career goals, stating, “Staying injury-free is crucial for me. First, I wanted to hit 900 goals; now my challenge is to reach 1,000.”
As he continues to defy age and expectations, Ronaldo remains a pivotal figure in the world of soccer.
